Visit to the Prado

Visiting the Prado Museum was something remnant of visiting the national art gallery in Washington D.C. (which in fact I was surprised to find that some of the featured artists’ works are located in Washington). Except in Spain. I feel it would be a great dishonor to my reader to not admit that I am far from an art connoisseur.  Wine and food? Sure. But art, not so much. However, I did not want my ineptitude in the art department take away from my general experience at the Prado. Therefore, I did find pieces that I did admire quite a bit, even for someone who knows almost nothing about art.

To begin…

Diego Velazquez:

This artist was born in 1599 in Seville, Spain and is considered one of the “most supreme” artists of all time. Velazquez lived in Madrid for most of the time except when he was traveling to work on paintings in Venice and Rome. Some of his most famous works include The Surrender of Breda, Phillip IV, The Spinners, and, The Maids of Honor.

After visiting the museum, I have to say that the painting of Velázquez’s that I like the most was “Las Meninas”. I find it interesting that this painting was of the King and Queen of Spain’s daughter, infanta Margarita, but more so that it was done in the Alcázar Palace in Madrid. Another odd note is that after looking closely enough, you can tell that the main male figure in the painting is actually Velazquez himself. It is said that this is the only self-portrait the artist ever did.

 I like this piece the most because of the regal feel to it. I love how everyone in the picture is doting on young Margarita and her in the middle of it all, looking like the princess she actually is. So many girls grow up with the fantasy of being a princess but this young girl actually was one. The picture is just so majestic, with the young girls and her parents reflected in the mirror in the background, just discernable to the eye. This was by far my favorite of the three paintings discussed here and my favorite to see in person. 

Francisco Zurbarán

            Francisco de Zurbarán was born in 1598 in Western Spain. He is most noted for his religious paintings. He was later sent by his parents to serve as an apprentice to a painter in Seville where he eventually mastered different types of ways to create his works such as charcoal. He is said to have learned similar styles to that of Velázquez.

            I wasn’t crazy most of Zurbarán’s works but having to choose I have to say that the “Immaculate Conception” was my favorite. The theme of the picture was beautiful and gracious. The Virgin Mary stands, surrounded by objects that represent her pureness. In the Catholic religion, it is practice to worship the Virgin Mary so I felt that this painting was very representative of that.

Alonso Cano

            Alonso Cano was born March 19, 1601 in Granada. He is famous for his paintings, architecture, and sculptures. One of his most famous works is of Madonna and Child in Lebrija. He was the first royal architect to King Phillip IV and designed the façade of the cathedral in Granada.

            Ironically, the piece I like most from Cano was Virgin and Child, closely related in theme to Zurbarán’s “Immaculate Conception”. I really like the way Cano depicts the Virgin and Jesus in the painting by their facial expressions. They both look peaceful and happy and each is adorned with a light halo above their head. The overall picture is somewhat dark in color but Mary and Jesus stand out quite bright, giving light to their expressions. He does a great job at depicting a scene that has been done time and time again. 

After my visit to the Prado, I think that I will definitely be more inclined to visit more art museums in future. It becomes very overwhelming after a certain point but finding a piece as beautiful as "Las Meninas" and seeing it in person is an experience worthwhile.