An Afternoon at the Thyssen
By Ellen Marks
Aside from being one of my favorite sources of entertainment, the Museo Thyssen-Bornmisza is one of the three corners of Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art.” The Thyssen, differing from the Prado and the Reina Sophia, displays a private art collection of refined taste. The collection was started in the 1920’s by Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza. He married a former Miss Spain, Carmen Cervera, who has taken over the collection. Individual portraits depicting the couple at their best –arguably somewhat glorified- can be seen just within the door of the museum.
The Thyssen offers a nice contrast from the Prado and the Reina Sophia by providing a range of expressionism, impressionism, and works from English , Dutch, and German art schools. Personally, I was most impressed with the private art collection displayed. On the first floor, I found myself staring at early Picasso, and more modern works by Lichtenstein. On the second floor, I was enamored with impressionist works by Monet, Renoir, and Pisarro. Impressionism exhibited by various artists gave me a much better understanding of the movement. The museum even has a number of works by Spanish artists such as Regoyos and Beruete.
After a few hours of fulfilling my art craving, I hit up the Thyssen shop on the first floor. While I was impressed with “Los Vessenots” by VanGogh, I definitely do not feel comfortable wearing it on Tshirt. I settled for some postcards and a book on Paul Cezanne which I read over tea in the café.
While the Prado is highly advertised and is most likely on your Madrid To-Do list, the Thyssen defintely interested me more. The varying tecniques and time periods displayed can be interesting to even those who aren’t fluent in art trivia. The Thyssen private collection is definitely worth a few euros and can provide an afternoon of classy entertainment.