Madrid's Hidden Gem Next to the Royal Palace

The Royal Collections Gallery The Royal Collections Gallery (Galería de las colecciones Reales) in Madrid has been in the making since the 1930s but was put on hold for various reasons. It finally opened its doors in June 2023. Despite being called a gallery, it houses an incredibly diverse collection, including paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and decorative arts from the 16th century to the present day. Plus, the basement features Moorish walls unearthed during the museum's construction. 🏰 Recommendations: 1. Velázquez's "The White Horse" – This is the same horse depicted in the equestrian portrait at the Prado Museum and one of Velázquez's final works. 📸 2. Next to "The White Horse" is a striking Caravaggio piece, "Salome with the Head of John the Baptist." Created during Caravaggio's escape from Rome, this work was painted in Naples. The dramatic lighting and red shawl are as iconic as Caravaggio's signature. 🎨 3. In front of Goya's portrait of Charles IV and his queen, you'll find a dessert plate made for the Royal Palace of Aranjuez in the early 19th century. King Charles IV chose the theme "Glory of Spain," featuring himself alongside historically renowned figures like Alfonso VIII and Charles V. Sadly, this didn't prevent Spain's annexation by Napoleon three years later. 🥢 4. Easily recognizable is El Greco's "The Adoration of the Name of Jesus," originally from the Escorial Monastery. Some art historians believe this was the first work commissioned by Spain's Philip II from El Greco, making it incredibly valuable. The name of Jesus is surrounded by angels in the sky, with the entrance to hell in the lower right corner and figures like Philip II and Pope Pius V prostrate on the ground. 🌌 Madrid is truly a treasure trove of museums. Next time you visit Spain, make sure to allocate plenty of time to explore its rich cultural offerings. ⏳ #SpainTravel #WesternArtHistory #ArtAppreciation #Museums #Madrid #MadridMuseums #ElGreco #Caravaggio #Velázquez #Goya