The Prado Museum in Madrid/ Wikipedia

The Prado Museum

The Prado Museum houses one of the finest collections of European art in the world, and undoubtedly the best collection of Spanish art. Some of its most iconic paintings include:

• Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez. Velázquez was one of the most important artists of the Spanish Golden Age. His paintings were rich in cultural and historical significance, but he also dabbled in simpler works, such as portraits of the royal family. His single most famous work is Las Meninas. It measures about 10.5 by 9 feet (3.2 by 2.75 m) and is a constant source of fascination and debate among art scholars, since it’s kind of a mash-up between subjects and genres. The central figure is Margaret Theresa of Spain, the daughter of King Philip IV, surrounded by her maids of honor (hence the name Las Meninas). On the left side you can see Diego Velázquez himself, and in the frame in the background you’ll notice a portrait of the king and queen. One of the painting’s great mysteries is the question of what Velazquez is painting on the canvas in front of him. What do you think he’s up to?

Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez, 1656 – Prado Museum Wikipedia

• The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch introduces Eve to Adam in the Garden of Eden, surrounded by interesting hybrid animals and plants. In the central frame, nude men and women enjoy various ‘activities’ surrounded by other recognizable and unrecognizable creatures in a surrealistic paradise garden. The right frame is markedly different; this is where all hell breaks loose, literally. In contrast to the first two frames, the right is painted in dark colors, depicting wars and torture caused by the carnal temptations of the previous panel. When the wings are closed, they form a perfect sphere, with God in the upper left corner – a depiction of the creation of the world.

The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch – interior/ Wikipedia

• The Third of May 1808 by Francisco Goya – the painting Kenneth Clark described as “the first great picture which can be called revolutionary in every sense of the word, in style, in subject, and in intention”. This masterpiece is the artist’s tribute to the rebels of the uprising against the French invasion. As its title suggests, it depicts the events of the third of May, when rebels were rounded up and shot by the French.

The Third of May 1808 by Francisco Goya, 1814/ Wikipedia

• The Descent from the Cross by Rogier van der Weyden. The Flemish artist created his masterpiece in 1435 with the idea that it would bring him international recognition. He succeeded, and his most famous painting has influenced a huge number of artists generations into the future. Its ambiance of sorrow is powerful and inevitable, and even not-so-religious people are sure to be moved by its grim beauty. One of the most interesting details is the body of the Virgin Mary, whose pose mimics that of Jesus.

The Descent from the Cross by Rogier van der Weyden, 1435

Stay tuned for part two, where we’ll point out the masterpieces you shouldn’t miss in Reina Sofia Museum and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. And, of course, pin this post for reference whenever you want to feel like a fine art connoisseur:

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#1 Most people know that Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa, but up to this day the model herself remains a mystery. Some even say the painting is a female representation of Da Vinci himself. The most popular theory is that the lady in the painting is Lisa Gherardini, born in 1479. Why Da Vinci chose her is still a mystery.

#2 Have you noticed that the Mona Lisa has no eyebrows? One theory posits that some craftsmen made a mistake while restoring the painting and accidentally ‘erased’ her eyebrows. Another version of events suggests that Da Vinci never finished the painting (many of his paintings remained unfinished).

#3 In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre, in broad daylight, by a museum employee. It was returned two years later.

#4 That theft explains why the Mona Lisa is now displayed in the Louvre in a purpose-built, climate-controlled enclosure behind bulletproof glass. The room’s construction cost $7 million.

#5 The painting can’t be insured against theft as it is considered to be priceless, and therefore impossible to insure. 

#6 The painting has been vandalized numerous times. In 1956, it happened twice – once when acid was poured on it, and the second time when a man threw a rock at it, in the process damaging the paint on the Mona Lisa’s left elbow (later painted over). In recent years, glass has been thrown at it and red paint has been sprayed on it… although fortunately the painting’s bulletproof glass covering proved its worth and the masterpiece was not harmed in either incident.

#7 The Mona Lisa is actually much smaller than you might expect before seeing it in person – 77 x 53 cm (30 x 21 in), to be exact.

#8 The painting’s name is almost certainly the result of a typo. Instead of the Mona Lisa, it was supposed to be named the Monna Lisa (Monna being the Italian shortening of ‘Madonna’ or ‘Our Lady’).

The painting is located on the first floor of the Louvre, in Denon wing, Room 6. 

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Unlike many other iconic works of art, The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci has never been part of a private collection… mainly because it was painted on the wall of a small church in Milan, which made it too hard to move (or steal). But just like many other iconic works of art, it’s quite tricky to visit.

Thousands of tourists arrive and leave Milan without having glimpsed the famous painting, because you need to reserve your ticket, sometimes months in advance. Here’s how to break the Da Vinci Code and organize a smooth visit.

Where is the Last Supper painted?

Few people know that this famous work by Da Vinci was painted on the wall of the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie in 1498. It was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, the patron of Leonardo Da Vinci. It measures 4.80 x 8.80 m (15.75 x 28.9 ft) and its name in Italian (if you’re looking for signs to follow) is Cenacolo Vinciano.

Why are so few people allowed to see the Last Supper?

Because of the techniques and materials Leonardo used for painting, the work started crumbling as early as 1517. It has suffered from damage several times through the centuries, most recently during the WWII bombardments. From 1978 until 1999 the refectory was rebuilt as a sealed, temperature and humidity-controlled room in place of its original design. Visitors enter the refectory after they have passed through a humidity-controlling transfer room, in groups of no more than 30 people. They are allowed to remain inside for no more than 15 minutes.

How can you buy a ticket for The Last Supper?

You need to buy your ticket in advance – you can do it online from the official ticketing website here. You can buy a ticket three months in advance and the new tickets are released online around the 10th of the month (but dates vary so check online). Tickets cost 10 euro per person (5 euro for EU citizens between 18 and 25 years old) + 2 euro booking fee.

Why are there so few tickets available?

It may seem that there are very few tickets available when you look at the monthly chart. The reason for that is that travel agencies buy many of the tickets for their tourist groups or resell them later (and add various fees to the price, of course). Some agencies claim that it’s impossible to buy a ticket for The Last Supper individually and try to make you pay for a guide, or package your visit with tours to other attractions in Milan. Don’t fall for this – it’s not true.

What else should I know?

There is no written information in the hall where The Last Supper is displayed, so find some information about the painting in advance or get an audio guide (you can book it together with your ticket or get it when you arrive). Your ticket will have a fixed date and time printed on it, and you should arrive 20 minutes before the start of your session.

What if I can’t find tickets? Is there another way to see it?

Not really. Unless you count the little-known fact that there’s a copy of The Last Supper painted by one of Leonardo’s apprentices and it’s completely free to visit at Basilica di San Lorenzo. One amazing fact: some parts of this copy are better preserved than the original!

>>> Discover more Secret places and unusual things to do in Milan

How can I get to the Convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie and The Last Supper?

Trams 18-24 stop at Corso Magenta – Santa Maria delle Grazie. Subway MM1’s stations Conciliazone and Cadorna will get you close, as well as MM2’s Cadorna station.

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