Michael S.
Yelp
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya is much like many of the art pieces on display in the museum: the more I look, the more I love.
My initial rankings had MNAC as just 3-4 stars, but, today as I reflect on all the history, beauty, skill, and inspiration at the National Art Museum of Catalonia in the remarkable Palau Nacional building atop Parc de Montjuïc, I'm inspired to paint this review with 5 bright red stars.
Tips:
* Closed Mondays
* Open 10:00 am daily until 6:00 pm
* Except Sundays & holidays until 3:00 pm
* Open late in summer until 8:00 pm
* Closed Jan 1, May 1, & Dec 25
* Admission: €12; Free for under 16
* Audio guide: €4
* Save €2 online with combo ticket/guide
* Rooftop viewpoint: €2 extra
* Free admission after 3:00 all Saturdays
* Free admission 1st Sundays
* Free admission May 18 and Sep 11
* Take Green L1 or L3 metro to Plaça d'Espanya
* Or ride the Montjuïc Funicular there
* We just did uber which meant less walking
* Check large bags or coats in the cloakroom
* The Musuem Shop was ok
* A quick Café is in the large Oval Room
* Òleum is a full-restaurant in the Throne Room
The collection ranges a thousand years with tens of thousands of artifacts and art work. Catalonia has a proud artistic heritage and the full array is revealed at Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya including Romanesque Art, Medieval Gothic Art, Renaissance Art, Baroque Art, and Modern Art. A few of my favorites include:
* Circus by Modest Cuixart, 1950
* Woman in Hat and Fur Collar by Pablo Picasso, 1937
* The New Hat by Feliu Elias, c. 1935
* The Gallery / La galería by Feliu Elias, 1928
* Reflected Shadows by Lluís Masriera, 1920
* The Novice by Joan Llimona, c. 1898
* Reading by Joan Llimona, c. 1891
* Public Exhibition of a Picture by Joan Ferrer Miró, c. 1888
* Parc Cordier in Trouville by Louis-Eugène Boudin, 1880-1885
* The Spanish Wedding by Marià Fortuny, 1870
* Portrait of Elena and María with old Valencian jackets by Joaquin Sorolla, 1863
* Allegory of Love, Cupid and Psyche by Francisco de Goya, 1798-1805
* Return of "Il Bucintoro" on Ascension Day by Giovanni Antonio Canal (Canaletto), 1745-1750
* Three Beggars by Giacomo Ceruti dit (Il Pitocchetto), 1736
* Basket of Flowers by Juan de Arellano, c. 1670
* Saint Francis of Assisi according to Pope Nicholas V's Vision by Francisco de Zurbarán, c. 1640
* Saint Peter & Saint Paul by Doménikos Theotokópoulos (El Greco), 1590-1600
* Christ Carrying the Cross by Doménikos Theotokópoulos (El Greco), 1590-1595
* Man of Sorrows by Unknown artist, 16th century
* The Ill-matched Couple by a follower of Lucas Cranach (The Elder), 1530-1550
* Portrait of Kunigunda of Austria by Unknown artist, c. 1485
* Last Supper by Jaume Huguet, 1463-1475
* Virgin of the 'Consellers' by Lluís Dalmau, 1443-1445
* Saint Anthony the Abbot by Jaume Cascalls, c. 1350
* Virgin Suckling the Child by Llorenç Saragossà, 14th Century
* Christ, Wood carving with polychrome remains, Consecrated 1147
* Apse of Sant Climent de Taull by the Master of Taull, c. 1123
As a celebration of Catalan and European art, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya is not only the biggest art museum in Barcelona, but it also offers the best presentation and experience. The more you see of it, the more you'll love it ... and the history and art on display.