Oooo…is that Prado you’re wearing?

Woman in a black Hat Kees van Dongen. Oil on canvas, 100 x 81.5 cm. 1908. San Petersburgo, State Hermitage Museum on display Prado, Madrid

The Prado in Madrid is Spain’s version of the Louvre. Lo siento, Espana, no one can top the Louvre. But that’s no reason to miss this national treasure.

I wish I had done a leeetle more research on Ms. Prado Museo though, because it is, well. . . labyrinthine.  I foolishly started at the beginning, where your teacher always tells you to start.  Right? Don’t. Unless you like antiquities and Flemish art.  You know all those shiny still life’s of fruit and flies.  Lots of men in puffed sleeves and feathered hats.

You must know exactly what you want to see so you won’t get “museum eye.”  You know, that glassy far off stare when you know you should be enjoying this if you were cultured, but you’d really like a Sangria instead?

So here are my top pics.  Forgo the first wing of the museum and vamonos  to the new part (the expansion) for the good stuff.  Of course if you like Goya, you should go straight to his galleries because he was the court painter of Spain for forever and you really can’t beat his  lace.  But lots of royalty here (now where did I put that tiara?)

I will put in my plug for the El Greco galleries.  They are tremendous.  Not everyone likes him, but I Heart him big time. Lots of saints in silks.

They are rearranging much of their collection (which is what all top-notch stylistas do) so just ask someone if you get lost.

Hermitage section IX has the fun twentieth century art. My great Prado memories were here, close to the inside cafe where my friends spent most of thier time. . .drinking Sangria.

BTW don’t you just covet her eyebrows?