The Prado Masterpieces

The Museo Nacional del Prado, Spain’s national art museum, houses one of the world's finest collections of European art, and is unquestionably the best single collection of Spanish art. This compact volume serves as the definitive and most up-to-date reference to the Prado, published by the museum itself. It presents the globally renowned collection in chronological order, from Roman statues to nineteenth century anti-war paintings, guided by the tastes of the Spanish royal family to recount the evolution of Western art. The Prado’s most seminal works are showcased in sections on notable painters and themes of still life, portraits, and religious painting, including Velázquez Las Meninas, El Greco’s The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest, and Goya’s The Third of May 1808. This book creates a fascinating dialogue between the greatest artists and their works, conveying how painters have always reflected the influences of their predecessors and peers. An indispensable resource for anyone passionate about art history, it is a richly illustrated record of one of the world’s greatest collections of European art. 385 color illustrations