Prado Museum Advice

As I recall, the Prado had a leaflet that mapped out the locations of the top 20 or so most famous paintings. I followed that and wasn't disappointed. That said, my favorites were "The Annunciation" by Fra Angelico (so beautiful in person), "Garden of Earthly Delights" by Bosch (you could spend hours looking at all the gory details), "Las Meninas" by Velasquez (it has a great back story and isn't allowed to leave Spain).

For what it's worth, "Las Meninas" and "Garden of Earthly Delights" seem to be the paintings most popular with museum visitors in general, based on the crowds in front of them during my May 2015 visit.

Although apparently not on any guidebook or online top 5 list, I have been perusing Prado's official website and find the Five Senses collection of 5 paintings done in collaboration by Rubens and Brueghel intriguing; as collaborations of two artists with different styles; as paintings within paintings; replete of details and symbolism; seems magnificent to look at, at least on my computer screen.

acraven: While Las Meninas and Garden of Earthly Delights are popular for good reason, and certainly on top of my list, were there any others in particular that you found especially interesting?

Unfortunately, I have been to so many art museums in Spain/France/England over the last two summers that I do not remember what I saw, where; what lives on is a vague memory of enjoying a museum. I really should make brief notes after each museum visit, because at this point I wouldn't know which places to revisit myself, beyond the obvious ones. Sorry to be so unhelpful.

The Prado was definitely one of the highlights of our October 2017 trip to Spain. The free "Plan" includes pictures of 50 of the most popular works with the room numbers where each one can be found, along with a map. We got to the Prado a few minutes after it opened and made a beeline to Las Meninas. After that, we selected the works we most wanted to see and explored the museum within that template. My favorites were the works of Velazquez and Goya.

If you already have your tickets, you will enter through the Jeronimos entrance.

•The Crucifixion, Juan de Flandes
•Gentleman with his Hand on his Breast, El Greco
•The Family of Philip IV or Las Meninas, Velázquez
•Surrender at Breda (The Lances), Velázquez
•Jacob’s Dream, Ribera
•Bearded Woman, Ribera
•The 3rd of May, Goya
•The Naked Maja, Goya
•Agnus Dei (Lamb of God), Zurbarán
•The Annunciation, Fra Angelico
•The Cardinal, Raphael
•The Emperor Charles V at Mühlberg, Titian
•The Immaculate Conception, Tiepolo
•The Descent from the Cross, Rogier van der Weyden
•The Finding of Moses, Orazio Lomi de Gentileschi
•The Garden of Earthly Delights, Hieronymous Bosch
•The Three Graces, Rubens
•Self-portrait, Dürer
•Artemisia, Rembrandt
•Still Life with Game, Vegetables and Fruit, Juan Sanchez Cotan
•David Victorious over Goliath, Caravaggio
•The Dead Christ supported by an Angel, Antonello da Messina

I loved Las Meninas as well as all of Velazquez’s and Goya’s works. When in Barcelona it was interesting to see Picasso’s interpretations of Las Meninas. Believe there’s only one entrance on the side of the building but probably different lines for those with and without tickets. It’s been years since I went into the museum.

Do realize that the Prado is not only huge, but has a large number of top quality works. So, if you like paintings, you should plan to spend as much time there as possible. Just go from room to room and see what grabs you; it's not one of those places with only a few highlights and a lot of second-rate stuff.

In addition to Las Meninas, I liked Las Hilanderas (The Spinners). And Goya's Black Paintings are quite something, especially Saturn Devouring One Of His Children. Then there's the best work of other Spanish greats, like Murillo and El Greco.

In addition to Spanish paintings, the Prado has stuff from the places controlled by Spain at the height of its empire. For instance, they are said to have more Rubens than any other single museum, from the time when the Netherlands and Belgium were the Spanish Low Countries.

Acraven, you aren’t the only one! I go to an art museum to enjoy the paintings and the setting. I enjoyed the Prado museum because it was a lovely building. I too can’t recall a single painting though. I do remember going on a day it was free admission so I went late in the evening and it was crowded yet manageable. I guess each person approaches art museums differently. For me, I just show up, take a leaflet and make sure to see the most famous ones:)

My favorite thing about Prado was the number of works they had from each of a number of masters. By having a section with paintings from one painter, you could get a better understanding of the style, subject, color, light, etc. that each became known for.

My only advice is to avoid the free times. It's just too crowded.

On my first visit, about 5-6 years ago, I picked up a pamphlet at the info desk that listed the "top 50" works in the Prado and decided that would be my plan for the day. It took a whole day ☺and there were several that either I didn't find or were "on vacation." I admit that I looked at a lot of other works along the way - it's impossible not to. I used the audio guide and thought it was very good.

Walking through the Prado is something like going through a maze, since there are several places where you walk through several rooms only to come to a dead end and must retrace your steps to continue. At least the rooms are all numbered. If there are artists/works you really want to see, plot them out on the floor plan to make sure you get to them all.

Art is personal. What touches me may not touch you. Also I often take photos of works that I especially like to help remember them, or download pix when I get home. No photos allowed in the Prado.