Sunday - Art and Travel

Sunday 19th May 2019

It’s our last day here and we are determined to see that blasted Picasso!

We tried to get into Chocolateria San Gines - the most famous place in Madrid to eat Churros. It was packed and I was the only one that really wanted to go in, so we bypassed and found a pleasant square with a cafe and had delicious omelettes.

We then walked back to the friendly (not) Reina Sofia gallery and FINALLY saw the Guernica - it is very very impressive and huge. We got told off for taking photos (they really do need to lighten up). The gallery itself is a beautiful building and would be nicer if some people smiled.

We walked to our next stop the Caixa Forum - an art centre which has a beautiful living wall. We went in and the inside was very similar to the Barbican and Festival Hall - really striking. Andrew got told off for bouncing a ball in the gift shop (read the sign - oh no, it’s in Spanish) and we left. Not happy about being told off twice before lunch.

Our final stop before leaving for the airport was the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (the Thyssen).

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection is one of the most important private collections of paintings of the 20th century. Although originally a private collection, today it belongs to the Spanish public after its acquisition by the government in 1993 In 2004 a significant part of the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection was added to it; a collection of over two hundred works. It is SO impressive - really something for everyone. Carpaccio, Dürer, Caravaggio, Rubens, Sargent, Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Kirchner, Mondrian, Klee, Hopper….you name it, they have it.

There was a temporary exhibition of the works of Balthus - not an artist we were familiar with. It started off ok, some nice pictures in a quite a strange style, The pictures then seemed to take a rather unpleasant turn - focusing on a young boy and girl that lived next to the artist and were borderline erotic. We left. Andrew said '‘he was basically a pervert’ - yes, basically.

We particularity wanted to see the Hoppers, so made our way to where they were and then through to the more modern art of Lichtenstein.

Time to make our way back to the airport and head for home.

It’s been a lovely little trip. Madrid is great city with lots to do. They just need to cheer up.