Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
Prado Museum
Photos & Highlights
- See highlights of the Prado Museum, including Bosch and Goya, with skip-the-line tickets
- Led by a professional art historian
Select a date
Tour Description
During this 3-hour tour, we will explore the Prado Museum, famous not only for works by such major Spanish artists as Velazquez and Goya, but also for a wide range of Flemish, Italian, and French art–representative of the far reach and influence of the Spanish Empire. Under the tutelage of an art history expert, we’ll gain a broad, contextual understanding of this exciting collection while visiting some of the most significant paintings in one of the world’s greatest art museums. Our Prado Museum guided tour is offered for both small groups and private tours.
We’ll begin our tour by looking at the paintings that once formed part of the private collections of Spanish monarchs. These works are the initial core of the Prado Museum and account for the presence of such masterpieces as The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch and The Descent from the Cross by Roger van der Weyden, two of the most important paintings in the Prado. Next, we'll turn our attention to the advent of the Habsburg dynasty in Spain. Brought upon by Charles V, who, along with his son Philip II, became prominent patrons of Venetian artists, chiefly Titian. We may dwell for a while with this artist's powerful portraits of both regents. We’ll also discuss how a fascination with Italy—specifically Venice—infused the work of Velazquez, whom King Philip IV (grandson of Philip II) sent to Italy to acquire paintings.
Next, we’ll look at Rubens, who sojourned at the court in Madrid and who provides a unique contrast to Velazquez, in particular Velazquez's famous Las Meninas. We'll finish in the Goya rooms, where we can review the relationships between artists and their royal patrons as we study such works as The Family of Charles IV. We'll conclude with a deep appreciation for the variety of masterpieces contained within the Prado, and how this museum serves as a capsule of European history from the Renaissance to modernity.
At the end of this tour, you will leave with much more in-depth knowledge about world-famous artists, ready to tell your family and friends everything you've learned!
At the end of this tour, you will leave with much more in-depth knowledge about world-famous artists, ready to tell your family and friends everything you've learned!
Experts
- You like to connect with fellow art enthusiasts and share your passion
- You want to discover the stories and insights behind famous paintings and sculptures
- You crave an elevated experience with a guide who has advanced academic knowledge
- Please contact us to discuss in more detail your mobility concerns so that we can best advise. We are always happy to discuss possible adjustments for visitors with mobility concerns.
- Prado Museum
Is this tour wheelchair-accessible?
The museum is accessible to wheelchairs with the exception of certain areas connected to the Villanueva building due to its design. Please contact us to discuss in more detail your mobility concerns so that we can best advise.
There are 7 or more people in my group but your website won't allow me to include more than 6 participants. Can't you make an exception?
The museum is accessible to wheelchairs with the exception of certain areas connected to the Villanueva building due to its design. Please contact us to discuss in more detail your mobility concerns so that we can best advise.
There are 7 or more people in my group but your website won't allow me to include more than 6 participants. Can't you make an exception?
Unfortunately not, we cannot accommodate groups larger than 6 people due to venue reservation restrictions. If your group is larger, we recommend you split into multiple groups.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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592 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
We loved Diana. She was wonderfully enthusiastic, very knowledgable and catered to our every request. She was my favorite docent.
Kathleen
Reviewed on:
Apr 14, 2016
Our docent was very knowledgeable and so interesting that the three hours flew by.
Penelope
Reviewed on:
Jan 19, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed my morning with Diana at the Prado on November 26. We met easily according to the directions which I appreciated. As we walked over to the museum, Diana told us a little about herself. I liked her approach to the walk: we focused on several artists like Velazquez, Goya, Reubens that were well represented at the Prado instead of trying to cover the entire museum. I am not formally educated in art history so I loved that Diana spent time with each picture and explained the context and what were the important aspects of the work, what I should be looking at! She would explain what art scholars thought of some of the works which was helpful. I liked seeing different artists painting the same subject such as Saturn Eating the Boy so you could compare. I was afraid that 3 hours might be too much for me but the time went quickly and I thoroughly enjoyed myself and learned a great deal.
Nancy
Reviewed on:
Dec 5, 2015
