Reina Sofia Museum

Reina Sofia Museum (named after Queen Sofia of Spain) holds Spain's most prized modern art (second half of the 19th century - 21st century)

The top floors are accessible by exterior windowed elevators. The building it's characterized by wide open spaces and high ceilings centered around a spacious patio. A striking red addition designed by French architect Jean Nouvel was completed in 2005 and holds an auditorium, library, bookstore, restaurant, and room for temporary exhibits.

On the 2nd floor it is where the Spanish vanguard of the 20th century is concentrated. Cubism and surrealism are widely represented by works like Picasso's "Guernica," Dalí's "El gran masturbador," Buñuel's "El perro andaluz" and Juan Gris's paintings.

The Reina Sofía also has fine collections of the works of Joan Miró, Julio González, Eduardo Chillida, Antoni Tàpies, Pablo Gargallo, Lucio Muñoz, Luis Gordillo, Jorge Oteiza, José Gutiérrez Solana and many other significant artists.

Abstract and pop art can be found on the 4th floor.

Info:

Address: c/ Santa Isabel, 52
Tel: (+34) 91 774 10 00

Metro stops: Atocha (line 1)
Bus lines: 6, 10, 14, 18,19, 26, 27, 32, 34, 36, 37, 41, 45, 46, 55, 57, 59, 68, 86, 119, circular

Open: 10am-9pm, Mon-Sat; 10am-2:30pm Sun
Closed: Tuesdays; December 24, 25 and 31; January 1 and 6; May 1; Sept 9; Nov 9

General admission: €6
Reduced admission: €3 with student/youth card and for educational/cultural groups
Free admission: 2:30pm-9pm Saturdays; 10am-2:30pm Sundays; May 28, October 12, December 6. Always free for under 18s, over 65s, retirees, unemployed persons, cultural and educational volunteers.

photo en.wikipedia.org

Civil War, Dalí (Museo Reina Sofía)

Guernica, Pablo Picasso (Reina Sofia Museum)

Guernica is a painting by Pablo Picasso, depicting the Nazi bombing of Guernica, Spain, on April 26, 1937 during the Spanish Civil War.

For over three hours, twentyfive of Germany's best-equipped bombers, accompanied by at least twenty more Messerschmitt and Fiat Fighters (Italy), dumped one hundred thousand pounds of high-explosive and incendiary bombs on the village, slowly and systematically pounding it to rubble.  The attack killed between 250 and 1,600 people (the number of casualties is not clear), and many more were injured.

The Spanish Republican government commissioned Pablo Picasso to paint a large mural for the Spanish display at the 1937 World's Fair in Paris.  The Guernica bombing inspired Picasso and within 15 days of the attack he began painting the mural.

On completion Guernica was displayed around the world in a brief tour.  This tour brought the Spanish Civil War to the world's attention.  The mural came back to Spain after Franco´s death according with Picasso´s last will.  After being displayed in el Casón del Buen Retiro for some years the painting was finally moved to Reina Sofia Museum.