Home Articles Places Reina Sofia
Reina Sofia PDF Print E-mail
Written by SuperHypersonic   
Monday, 12 October 2009 21:09

Reina Sofia 

Among several brilliant museums in the vibrant city of Madrid, Reina Sofia is by far my favorite.
Picasso's followers will recognise it as the home of 20th century's most famous painting, Picasso's "Guernica".
This building, originally an 18th century hospital was beautifully remodelled and converted into a museum in 1992, with two panoramic glass lifts standing out in the façade. In 2005 it added an extension designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. Its official name is the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, named after the Queen Sofia of Spain.

Located conveniently across Atocha train station,the museum is mainly dedicated to Spanish art.
Spread across four floors,highlights of the museum include excellent collections of Spain's two greatest 20th century masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.  The Reina Sofía also has fine collections of the works of Juan Gris, Joan Miró, Julio González, Eduardo Chillida, Antoni Tàpies, Pablo Gargallo, Lucio Muñoz, Luis Gordillo, Jorge Oteiza, José Gutiérrez Solana and many other significant artists.


 As you reach floor II,you find the famous Picasso's "Guernica".No pictures are allowed ofcourse. It was commissioned by the Spanish government for a Paris exhibition as a Civil War protest and hung in a New York gallery until 1981, fulfilling Picasso's wish that it should not be shown in Spain until democracy was established. It was then exhibited at the Prado, and moved to this permanent home in 1992.

Besides "Guernica", another highlight is "Woman in Blue" also by Picasso.Miró's enigmatic "Portrait II" is another standout in the museum for its Surrealist elements. Salvador Dali's "Landscapes at Cadaqués" is the artists' showpiece here, painted in the summer of 1923 during his visit to the town of Cadaqués.


A library specializing in 20th century art and archives is a part of the museum, with over 10,000 volumes and approximately 1,000 periodicals. The museum shop sells design goods, pottery, and writing materials, and is open during museum hours, while the adjoining restaurant is open late into the night and serves dinners.

The museum remains closed on Tuesdays and on working days, visitors are expected to leave 15 minutes prior to closing time.
Reina Sofia should be a must-visit place in your itinerary on a trip to Madrid. Need further incentive?
The entrance has become free on all days now!

Directions :
Metro: Atocha
Calle Santa Isabel, 52
Madrid


 

Comments (1)Add Comment
nice
written by kajal , December 16, 2009
Very well written.
Very offbeat. Usually one sees Madrid articles about fashion,shopping etc. nice to see focus on art smilies/smiley.gif
Good work!
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0

Write comment
You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

busy
 

Adventure Travel

Rafting on River Beas

WHITE WATER RAFTING

River rafting in the dazzling white waters of the Himalayan Rivers is the best in the world, with great rapids that challenge the body, invigorate the mind and the spirit. There are many river-rafting regions here which suit both professionals as well as amateur rafters. 

The magic behind white water rafting is the extreme and never-ending thrills in the untamed rivers. 
It’s that inexplicable feeling of incredible peace found in the act of flowing with the astounding current of the river.
One of the most magnificent white water rafting experiences one can have 
would be on River Beas.
The Beas River, one of the four major Himachal Rivers, rises from Rohtang Pass and flows through the Kully valley. Beas has, right from Manali till Jhiri, close to Bajaura in Kullu district, become a favorite among the river rafting lovers. On this 20 kms stretch, there...

Adventure Travel

Read More...

More in: Adventure Travel

Faces

Talking Post and Interview: Phil Soltanoff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAfZb5-s8LwPhil Soltanoff is the director of 'Mad Dog' theatre company. He is also executive director and co-founder (along with performing artist Hanne Tierney) of Five Myles, the OBIE-award winning alternative performance/exhibition space in Brooklyn, NY. In 1996 Phil Soltanoff premiered "TO Whom it may concern" which was featured in The Belgrade International Theatre Festival 1997.He was nominated for a 2007 Moliere Award for his creation and direction of "More or less infinity".His other directing credits include "Hybrid #17", "Suite for...

Read More...

More in: Faces

Mind travel

Beauty is the first test-A Disappearing Number

News image


 A Disappearing Number
 
A love story that reaches its crescendo with a lover declaring , "And 
I find the greatest peace in knowing that together one day we will be 
phosphates of calcium" is not really the run-of-the mill line one 
would usually expect from a wife to a husband.
But nothing,absolutely nothing is run-of-the mill or predictable...

Mind Travel

Read More...

More in: Mind Travel

Places

Saint George Castle: Lisbon

News image

 Saint George Castle

 

The Castle of Sao Jorge (Castle of Saint George),  in Lisbon with an interesting historical background and the dazzling views that it offers, is the perfect place for a well-spent afternoon.Located on a hill top in  Lisbon, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe , the castle is a must visit on a trip to Lisbon. Often referred to as the 'cidade das sete colinas' (city of the seven...

Places

Read More...

More in: Places

Soul Travel

Planet Earth: Beyond the Beautiful

{smoothgallery folder=images/marine}

The cool sea breeze,spectacular Marine Drive(Mumbai,India) and a display of pictures underlining a deep concern for our planet earth.... doesn't that sound perfect?
An exhibition titled "Earth from Above" has been put up on Marine Drive that has fantastic aerial photographs of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's travels had been put up in that perfect scenario.The photo exhibit is a part of the Bonjour India Festival.Born 1946 in France,Yann has become globally famous as a nature photographer.During his career he...

Soul Travel

Read More...

More in: Soul Travel

Duniya Gol Hai © 2008
Site Hosted, developed and Maintained by W3D
Creative Commons License