Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

Overview

The Thyssen completes Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art, filling the gaps left by the Prado and Reina Sofía. Housed in the elegant 18th-century Villahermosa Palace, it offers a comprehensive survey of Western art from the 13th century to the late 20th century.

Highlights

• Domenico Ghirlandaio's Portrait: A radiant Renaissance portrait exemplifying the museum's strength in early Italian and Flemish painting.
• American Collection: One of the few European museums with significant American art, including works by Edward Hopper and Georgia O'Keeffe.
• Impressionist Room: An outstanding cluster of Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Cézanne rarely matched outside Paris.

History

The collection was assembled by the Thyssen-Bornemisza dynasty, one of the wealthiest industrial families in Europe. In 1993, Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza sold his 775-work collection to the Spanish state for $350 million—widely considered one of the greatest art bargains in history.

Visitor Tips

• Top-Down: Start on the top floor (13th–15th century) and work downward chronologically to the 20th century on the ground floor.
• Mondays: Free entry every Monday from 12:00–16:00.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.