Jan 15

Jan 15 Museum Review: Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum Madrid

Image credit: © Michael Moran/OTTO

Along Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art (including the Museo del Prado and Museo Reina Sofia) lies the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. Originally a private collection originating in the 1920s, Baroness Carmen Thyssen loaned almost 500 works to Spain in the 1990s, and the museum was thus established. Considered the least popular of the three museums, this national collection is meant to fill in any holes left by the two other museums. I visited the institution, where I explored a temporary exhibition and the permanent collection. Here were the highlights:

The Impressionists and Photography

The temporary exhibition on view highlighted the relationship between photography and painting through the lens of the 19th century Impressionists. The exhibition was small, about seven compact galleries divided into very simplistic themes: forest, water, countryside, the body, etc. Each room was dedicated to paintings and photographs depicting their assigned theme. There was not much additional discourse. In fact, I found that the side-by-side installation of the paintings and the images of “real thing” dimmed the emotional impact of the impressionist works.

For example, Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series was not meant to be a collection of faithful renderings of the building, but rather a study of light, color, and perception. The three black and white photographs of the Rouen Cathedral hung right next to the painting dampened the spontaneity and ephemerality the painting pursued. The exhibition was completely inoffensive (too safe, and therefore basic, in my opinion) and I think it would have benefited by introducing some type of angle.

Permanent Collection

The permanent collection features art from the 13th century to the 20th century. It was an enjoyable collection with minimal discourse, with works organized by standard art historical chronology. I would suggest starting at the top floor, beginning with the 13th century, and working your way downstairs to the modern era. It is possible to view the entire collection in one visit. There is not much wall text, descriptions were only provided for certain works. I really liked the museum’s salmon-colored walls, which added a cohesive warmth to the collection. The Thyssen-Bornemisza features most of the canonical art movements and artists, but doesn’t hold any true masterpieces. Overall, I enjoyed the permanent collection and I would recommend a visit after completing the other museums on the Golden Triangle.