University & College Art & Design Trip To Madrid

The main Spanish national art museum has one of the world’s finest collections of European art, from the 12th century to the early 19th century, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection. As well as works by Hieronymous Bosch, Rembrandt and Boticelli, students can view the best single collection of Spanish art, including many works by Francisco de Goya.

Completing the ‘Golden Triangle’ of art museums in Madrid – along with the Prado and Reina Sofía museums – this one focuses on the works the others neglect. From early Italian paintings to contemporary European and American works, students can explore and draw inspiration from these fine examples of art that will aid their studies enormously.

CaixaForum Madrid is a 21st-century sociocultural centre offering old, modern and contemporary art, music and poetry festivals, multimedia art, debates on current affairs, social symposiums and educational workshops. It is housed in an impressive building that was once an electric power station, rehabilitated by the architecture studio Herzog and de Meuron.

Housed in what was Joaquín Sorolla’s home and studio, this museum features many paintings by the artist and provides an insight into his evolution as a painter. Students can see the artist’s different stylistic and thematic periods, such as his paintings on social criticism, family portraits, works depicting typical local customs, and self-portraits.

Doubling as a museum and gallery, this houses a fine art collection of paintings from the 15th to 20th century, with works by Giovanni Bellini, Correggio, Rubens, Zurbarán, Murillo, Goya, and Pablo Serrano. The academy is also the headquarters of the Madrid Academy of Art, so is a must for students who want to understand the history of fine art in Spain.

Housed in a 19th century palace overlooking the Parque del Retiro, this museum contains a rich collection mainly consisting of furniture, ceramics, glass, textiles and decorative pieces from Spain dating back to Phoenician times. Students obtain an understanding on how Spanish art has evolved and adjusted over time. Many Arabic world items are on show.

Dedicated to 20th century Spanish art, the biggest draw of this museum is Picasso’s Guernica, shown with preparatory sketches and photographs of the artist at work. This exhibit gives students an appreciation of how artists create their work and respond to the world around them. Dalí, Miró, and others are also represented in film, sculpture and photographs.