About the Museum
The Museo del Prado is Spain's main national art museum and one of the most visited museums in the world. It features one of the finest collections of European art, with particular strengths in Spanish, Italian, and Flemish painting from the 12th to early 19th century.
The Prado houses over 8,000 paintings and more than 700 sculptures, making it one of the richest collections of European art in the world. The museum's collection is rooted in the former Spanish Royal Collection, reflecting the artistic tastes and patronage of the Spanish monarchs. It is particularly renowned for its holdings of works by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Titian, Rubens, and Bosch. The neoclassical building itself, designed by architect Juan de Villanueva, is considered one of the finest examples of 18th-century Spanish architecture.
Notable Collections
Las Meninas
Diego Velázquez, 1656
Often considered the greatest painting ever made, this complex composition shows the Infanta Margarita attended by her maids of honor, with Velázquez himself appearing at the canvas. Its innovative play with perspective and gaze has fascinated artists and scholars for centuries.
The Garden of Earthly Delights
Hieronymus Bosch, c. 1490–1510
This mesmerizing triptych depicts the Garden of Eden, a world of earthly pleasures, and a hellish landscape of punishment. Its surreal imagery continues to inspire and puzzle viewers five centuries after its creation.
The Third of May 1808
Francisco Goya, 1814
Goya's powerful depiction of the execution of Spanish civilians by Napoleon's soldiers is a landmark in the history of art. Its raw emotion and dramatic lighting influenced generations of artists.
