Art, Queen Sofia, and Spain

If you have a desire to see some of the best art in Spain, look no further than the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia on Calle Santa Isabel 52. Among the masterpieces hanging on the walls are works from Solana, Miro and Picasso.

One of the most famed pieces of the hundreds of works hanging on the walls of the Queen Sofia is Picasso's Guernica. That joined with the other works have ranked this museum's modern art collection as one of the most important not just in Spain, but in all off Europe.

When one thinks of modern art, they also usually think of that art being housed in a very modern gallery. This is not the case with the Queen Sofia. The building was constructed in the 18th century. It's life was to end in the 1970's, with a date to be demolished, but it was then declared a historic monument and preserved, then turned into a museum.

Not only is the building a place to view great works, it also offers a great view of the city. The building has transparent framed elevators that you will travel on as you go to the gallery. From the elevator, you can get a fabulous view of Madrid.

Once you step out of the elevator, your art experience is underway. First, you will encounter a selection of Solana artworks including The Circle of the Cafe Pombo, The Meeting of the Pharmacy, and The Chorus Girls. While these are more modern of pieces, the collection runs the range from the late 19th century to modern day work.

There is a huge collection of Miro in the museum, which is a very popular attraction for the crowds who came to the collection include Escargot, Femme, Construction, Pipe and Fleur Femme et Oiseau dans la Nuit (Woman and bird in the night). This work was painted in the 20s and 30s in Barcelona.

Another very popular series of works from the museum are those of Dali. Queen Sofia are included in the light of the moon in 1927, the portrait Galarina 1945, and its1951 and 1955 Crucifixion paintings.

Of course, many are drawn to the several Picasso pieces housed in the museum. They may not be what many would expect from a Picasso assortment. Included in this collection is his 1896 First Communion , which has a young Picasso painting in a very academic style. In addition, the 1901 Woman In Blue also shows some of his younger work.

You begin to see Picasso's cubist style in the 1907 Las Señoritas de Avignon . Eye catching is the 1937 Guernica painting, which displays Picasso's impression of a bombing of this town.

The Queen Sophia collection is not limited to paintings. The collection also includes over 46,000 square yards of exhibition area which houses a number of pieces of porcelain, glass, pottery and other works of art. In addition, there is a library for studies and research into artworks, as well as a cafeteria once you work up an appetite from your travel through the vast halls.

Do look up these and many more artistic places the next time you visit Spain. Who knows maybe you will fall in love with the country and even consider buying property in Costa Blanca to settle in Spain!