Make time for THE gallery (Thyssen-Bornemisza)

Member Name: x_elff_x

Product:	Thyssen-Bornemisza
Date:	04/11/00 (83 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Variety, beautiful, bespoke setting

Disadvantages: Er, perhaps the dreadful paintings of the Baron and his wife

An art buff's dream city, Madrid is blessed with several prestigious galleries. The three largest - the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reine Sofia - are all within a short walk of one another and are described in most guides as The Golden Triangle.

Such an array of choice, however, presents a problem for short-stay visitors, namely, if time is limited, which one should you choose?

Obviously much will depend on your preferred taste, but for an eclectic mix that can be walked round and enjoyed in a couple of hours I would definitely recommend the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection.

This differs from the Prado and Reine Sofia in that it is a private collection and as such is a real mix in terms of both style and painting expertise - it reminded me a bit of looking at a friend's book shelves, there was a real variety, but you aren't sure you would want to own them all.

For those who are interested, here comes the history bit! Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza began the collection in the 1920s. However, when he died he split the collection - leaving it to a plethora of relatives.

The current Baron, however, shared the original baron's love and gathered the art back together - buying it back from his relatives, and also acquiring a number of additional modern American, impressionist, expressionist and cubist works.

When the Baron's collection became to big for his Villa Favorita home, countries all over the world attempted to acquire it.
Spain came into the equation in the form of is Spanish wife Carmen Cervera, who was, presumably, infuential in securing the artworks' current home.

So, it was in 1993 that the Spanish state permanently acquired the collection, most of which is housed in Madrid (although some paintings are in Barcelona).

The 'gallery' the Palacio de Villahermosa is a great reason in itself to visit this collection. Designed by the same architect
responsible for the Prado, López Aguado, it was renovated and remodelled by Rafael Moneo specifically to house the Baron's 775 paintings. The paintings inside are lovingly arranged over three floors - hanging on teracotta walls with some of the best lighting I have ever come across in a gallery.

Also, there are no glass or railings here -allowing you to get close to the art. The atmosphere feels modern but not overly reverential as you walk round.

The art is arranged in period from early religious art on the second floor, working down through dutch still life, impressionists and expressionists on the first to artists such as Edward Hopper and Jackson Pollack on the ground. Not to forget some dreadful painting of the Baron and his wife along with the king and queen of Spain, worthy of the front cover of People's Friend!

Many of the usual European suspects have paintings here, such as Van Eyck, Titian, Frans Hals and Caravaggio, but space is also given over to more unusual works.

Personally, I found the extensive American art collection (and more specifically the expressionists) a particular joy to see, as it isn't too often you get to see such a large or varied collection in Europe.

My partner, on the other hand, was particularly taken with the impressionist collection which includes works by Monet, Manet, Degas and Sisley.

Overall, the thing which appeals most to me about this collection is its sheer scope. It manages to give you a bite-sized chunk of most art periods without leaving you punch drunk from seeing too many at once.

If you flag by the ground floor, or even before that, their is a canteen in the basement, and there is also a pleasant gift shop, with gifts for all purses.

Details

The Villahermosa Palace is at Paseo de Prado 8 and is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm. It costs approximately £3.50 to enter, with children under 12 going free and reduced rates in p
lace for students and OAPs.

The nearest Metro stop is Banco de Espana.

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