Goya in Madrid: Where to See His Masterpieces
Francisco de Goya is one of the most renowned of Spain’s master painters. Although Goya wasn’t born in Madrid, he came to live and work there at the Royal Tapestry workshop in 1775 and later became a court painter for King Carlos III. Here’s a guide to finding some of Goya’s greatest masterpieces in Madrid.
The Museo Del Prado
Art Gallery, Museum
Madrid’s most famous art museum, the Prado, is home to what may be the most extensive collection of Goya’s masterpieces in the world. Visitors can view 152 Goya paintings, over 620 drawings, 123 handwritten documents/letters and a selection of prints. Make sure to catch the famous Second of May and Third of May paintings, depicting the horrors of war; his delightful renditions of Madrileños frolicking around the Manazanares River (featured in the above photo) and of course, the famous Maja paintings, which are two versions of the same woman, clothed and naked.
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Museum
Real Parroquia de San Antonio de la Florida
Church
Palacio Real
Building, Historical Landmark
Madrid’s Royal Palace is home to four of Goya’s famous masterpieces, as well as paintings and frescoes by Caravaggio, Velázquez, Corrado Giaquinto, Tiepolo and Mengs. You can even see a Stradivarius violin among the magnificent instrument collection. But back to Goya. His four paintings are mainly of the Royal Family – King Charles IV and his wife María Luisa de Parma dressed in royal court attire or King Charles IV in his hunting outfit.
Real Fábrica de Tapices
Library, Museum
Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando
Art Gallery, Museum
Real Basílica de San Francisco el Grande
Church