Madrid
The Best Flamenco Shows in Madrid
Looking for the best Flamenco Shows in Madrid? Here you will find local insights with the best tablaos, shows and special offers … Read More
Museo Thyssen Bornemisza
Thyssen Bornemisza Museum – Visitor´s guide
Located at the heart of the Paseo del Prado, almost in front of the Neptune Fountain, the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum shares the limelight with two of the other art museums in Madrid: the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum.
Since these three museums are located very close to each other, this area of Madrid has become popularly known as the Triangle of Art.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid gives its visitors a fantastic stroll through the history of art. With works from the XIII century until the end of the XXth century, the visitor will be able to contemplate the main pieces from the periods and schools such as the Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, Roccoco, Romanticism, art of the XIX and XX century and Pop Art. A great thing about the Thyssen Museum is that it completes the collections at El Prado or the Reina Sofia since it provides masterpieces from art movements that are not shown in these other museums such as Impressionism, Fauvism, German Expressionism, and the vanguards of the beginning of the XX century. You can also see the large North American painting collection of the XX century, one which is unique in Europe.
Another important element comes in the shape of temporary exhibitions. The museum hosts annual temporary exhibitions thanks to the support from private collectors and synergies between worldwide renowned museums.
Combo Thyssen + Prado + Reina Sofia
A guided tour with an art and history expert to these 3 top art galleries
3 in 1 !!
Thyseen guided visit
For many better than a general entry ticket since you benefit from an expert guide
Top value
Thyssen Bornemisza Museum
History of the Thyssen Museum in Madrid
The collections at the Thyssen Museum give us a taste of the likings and the preferences of their two principal owners, the Barons Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza (1875-1947) and Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza (1921-2002).
The Baron married Carmen Cervera, and his interests became closer to Spain. This led to conversations with the Spanish authorities aimed at the creation of an important art museum. The acquisition of the neoclassical Palace of Villahermosa followed. Renovations started and the Thyssen Bornemizsa museum was inaugurated in 1992 (the same year Spain held the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona).
Educated in the Central European artistic tradition, both paid special attention to the genre of portraiture and landscape. This is evident in the paintings of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid which are different from the current religious and historical paintings in other Spanish museums. Since 2004, the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection completes the museum´s collection. It has over two hundred paintings, thus completing the styles and genres already present in the Permanent Collection.
In addition to preserving the collection of the Barons, the museum designed an area for education purposes, to learn the values of art in an entertaining way called “Educate Thyssen”, a cafe with a modern design and an art shop where you can find a great variety of collectibles motif inspired by the works of the collections. Notably, the museum not only preserves the artwork but also believes in spreading the culture not only in Spain but around the world.
Permanent Collection
The permanent collection at the Thyssen Boernemizsa is displayed chronologically. It consists of 48 rooms distributed over three floors. It makes all sense to follow the recommended route by the museum. This will allow you to follow the historical evolution of painting through the centuries. The collection spans from the late 13th century to the 1980s.
We recommend you start on the second floor. This part of the museum is dedicated to ancient paintings and first illustrates the works of Italian primitives. As you progress through the rooms, the Venetian painting of the 18th century follows. The recommended itinerary includes two monographic rooms, portraits from the Renaissance, and cities from the 18th century. In this first area, you will enjoy paintings from El Greco, Tiziano or Tintoretto.
On the first floor, the visitor will find masterpieces from the Dutch school. The hitherto common themes give way to everyday life and new interests. From room 29 we start to find Modern Paintings. There are two initial galleries dedicated to 19th century North American painting.
It is at this point that the Thyssen proposes us a wonderful journey through Impressionism, post-Impressionism, and German Expressionism. This is for most visitors the main attraction of the museum: the variety and quality of the masterpieces shown is astonishing. Get ready to enjoy some of the best works from Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gauguin, or Toulouse Lautrec.
On the ground floor, the collection moves onto the 20th century, with outstanding works of cubism, abstraction, surrealism, pop art or post-war European figuration. You will enjoy fantastic works from Picasso, Dali, Wassily Kandinsky or Roy Lichtenstein amongst many others.
This statue was created in 1616 and for over 200 years stood in the Casa de Campo, Madrid’s largest park. It was moved to the Plaza Mayor in 1848 and has stood there ever since. Then there is the Casa de la Panaderia or the Bakery House, named after the bakery that once stood in the same spot and that knows the most impressive building in the square.
Where is the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum
More interesting things in Madrid
central spain
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez and Gardens
Check out our complete visitors guide to the Royal Palace of Aranjuez and it lush gardens. This spectacular estate is just a short drive from Madrid. … Read More
Madrid
Puerta del Sol Madrid
Check out our full guide to the Puerta del Sol in Madrid, one of the “must see” sights in the city and the geographic center of Spain. … Read More
Madrid
Valle de los Caidos
El Valle de los Caidos or the Valley of the Fallen is a religious structure commissioned by General Francisco Franco honoring fallen soldiers of the Spanish civil war, located near El Escorial, 50 minutes outside of Madrid. … Read More