Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Good for: hg
- Address
- Calle de Santa Isabel 52
- Transport
- Website
- Phone
- 91 774 10 00
- Price
- adult/student, under 18yr & over 65yr €6/free, free to all Sun, 7-9pm Mon & Wed-Fri, 2.30-9pm Sat, audioguide adult/student €4/3
- Hours
- 10am-9pm Mon & Wed-Sat, 10am-2.30pm Sun
Lonely Planet review for Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Home to Picasso’s Guernica, arguably Spain’s single-most famous artwork, and a host of other important Spanish artists, the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is Madrid’s premier collection of contemporary art. The collection principally spans the 20th century up to the 1980s.
In addition to Picasso’s Guernica, which is worth the admission fee on its own, the work of the Madrid-born Juan Gris (1887–1927) or Georges Braque (1882–1963) may appeal. The work of Joan Miró (1893–1983) is defined by often delightfully bright primary colours, but watch out also for a handful of his equally odd sculptures; his paintings became a symbol of the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.
The Reina Sofía is also home to 20 or so canvases by Salvador Dalí, of which the most famous is perhaps the surrealist extravaganza that is El Gran Masturbador (1929).
If you can tear yourself away from the big names, the Reina Sofía offers a terrific opportunity to learn more about sometimes lesser-known 20th-century Spanish artists.
Of the sculptors, watch in particular for Pablo Gargallo (1881–1934), whose work in bronze includes a bust of Picasso, and the renowned Basque sculptors Jorge Oteiza (1908–2003) and Eduardo Chillida (1924–2002).
Traveller reviews for Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (8)
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The "MoMa" of Madrid
andhitadara recommends this,
The museum allowing visitors hitherto unseen panoramic vistas of the city including the treetops of the Retiro Park.
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Wonderful!
cla_hammerli recommends this,
One of the greatest art museums in the world for Modern Art! Guernica alone is worth the visit!
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Interesting, unusual, must see in Madrid
sarahkinsella35 recommends this,
This was truly an experience. Beautiful and unusual art, every medium from collage, installation to masterpieces! You could spend days in there! Definitely a must if you are visiting Madrid.
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Brace yourself for 'Guernica'
suzywatusi recommends this,
This museum has a fantastic collection, primarily 19th and 20th century art - surrealism, cubism, pop art, abstract expressionism - and Spanish artists are really well represented. It's spacious and filled with light, and a pleasure to wander around. There's also a lovely garden out the back where you can sit and process all the masterpieces you've just seen (or just spin out at the strange doll-sized park benches scattered around the grass - creepy!). Although it's an old building, the external glass-fronted elevators are a super-modern touch, allowing visitors to gaze out at the sprawling plaza below and the splendid Atocha station nearby.
But it's Picasso's 'Guernica' which most people come here for - and with good reason. Seeing this huge painting in the flesh is an overwhelming, emotional experience. Picasso's fury vibrates off the canvas, and you notice details that simply get lost in printed reproductions. It's breath-taking and powerful and moving.
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