Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Reina Sofia Museum featuring art
Journey by means of modern art through the key political and social moments of recent times.

The Reina Sofía Museum, Madrid's most well-known modern art space, is an inspiring and informative place to visit and an essential attraction for all aficionados of contemporary art. The permanent collection ranges from works of the late 19th century to the freshest and newest forms of expression around. There’s a definite focus on the home-grown scene but the Spanish pieces are bolstered by a healthy proportion of pickings from the international art world.

If you want to begin at the beginning, your first port of call will be the collection entitled “Irruption of the 20th Century” which showcases works created between 1900 and 1945. Here you'll encounter the likes of Juan Gris, Georges Braque, Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí while you follow the path that thrust art into modernism through an age of political, social and moral upheaval. The icing on this particular cake is Pablo Picasso's masterpiece, "Guernica".

The next section, “Is the War Over? Art in a Divided World” will lead you through Abstraction and Existentialism in the context of the ideological split that divided Europe after the war. The work of artists such as Jorge Oteiza and Jean Dubuffet are displayed as reminders of the social changes taking place in an era when consumerist culture began to grow and grow.

Finally, “From Revolt to Postmodernity” brings us up to date with today’s art world, exploring contemporary issues such as gender politics, globalisation and the nature of art. There is an emphasis on Spanish figures such as Luis Gordillo and the Zaj Group also well represented are South-American artists and their response to the issues facing their own continent.

Special exhibitions are held in the museum regularly so it's well worth checking the website to see what's on. The Reina Sofía also accommodates a very comprehensive library which is open to the public.

If you’re travelling by public transport, take the metro to Atocha station. The museum is on Calle de Santa Isabel, and is closed on Tuesdays and public holidays but should otherwise be open. Admission fees apply.

Reviews of Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
129
" "5 - Excellent 53.30578512396694%
4 - Good
84
" "4 - Good 34.710743801652896%
3 - Okay
27
" "3 - Okay 11.15702479338843%
2 - Disappointing
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" "2 - Disappointing 0.4132231404958678%
1 - Terrible
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" "1 - Terrible 0.4132231404958678%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
20 Jan 2020

Good place for a coffee

4/5 - Good

Chris
16 Nov 2019

The audio guide was poor value as very few artworks were included.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
29 Jun 2019

Go round the back if you want to avoid the queue at 7pm when it become free, If you want to see Guernica than the sis the right place, room 206

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Jun 2019

Don't miss it! Some wonderful Picasso (Guernica with fascinating preparatory sketches and paintings that are really enlightening), Dali etc. We didn't book and didn't have to wait long in the queue. 65+s enter free but you'll need to carry ID to prove your age.

5/5 - Excellent

Alison
30 May 2019

Remember it’s closed on Tuesdays!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
25 May 2019

The museum is curated in a very interesting and particular way. It explains a lot about the culture and history of Spain. Guernica is accompanied by excellent studies. The video films surrounding Guernica really set the mood and atmosphere.

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