- ContributedEl Greco's "La Trinidad" - The Trinity no. 824.
Barbara Ellington, Features Co-ordinator
ONE OF the highlights of my recent British Airways-sponsored trip to Spain, was a visit to the El Prado Museum. The museum was a gift from the King of Spain in 1819. Most of the giant-sized painting and sculpture are the works of world famous artists such as Francisco de Goya, El Greco, Diego Velasquez and Rembrandt.
Strolling through the almost hallowed halls of the majestic edifice, one will see at least one modern-day painter at work on a piece for his Art examination - perhaps hoping to draw inspiration from his predecessors.
There are over 5,000 exhibits in the extensive collection that dates back to artists of the early 15th century. There are some works by modern artists as well.
The portraits of Charles V show his regal bearing on his horse or seated on a chair. Some say kings were painted in an elevated position to show their superiority over the common man. Charles V's dress bears the signature red sash which was the symbol of authority worn by emperors of the time. The paintings tell stories of this 15th century Catholic leader who during his reign, was involved in the battle of Mulberry against the Protestants.
Other portraits include studies of his son Phillip II, also a powerful king whose enemies included France. This famous king had four wives and an entire room is dedicated to the portraits of these women. They are Maria of Portugal, Mary Tudor, Isabel of France and Anna of Austria.
El Greco was influenced by Michaelangelo and the echoes of his religious themes are evident in these portraits.
A close examination of 'La Trinidad' The Trinity reveals the religious themes of the crucifixion, angels with wings and use of his mentor's technique of making the human body 10 times the size of its head. Some are of the view that El Greco could not draw the human figure in proportion so he drew them elongated; his works had a grotesque feeling with an emphasis on the elongated figures such as his martyrs and the crucifixion scene. All the pieces feature the colours red, blue, yellow and green and a drop of red paint one spot. The upper part of El Greco's painting represents life and the lower part, death.
El Greco became known for signing his paintings on a piece of paper which he left on the canvas with the words, "I painted it" so the viewer would have no doubt whose work it was. The signed bit of paper is clearly recognisable on his painting 'Beautismode Cristo' 821 "The Baptism". The piece depicts the baptism of Jesus Christ with an axe to symbolise God cutting himself off from Israel.
One interesting work in El Prado is a painting by San Sebastian that was cut in two and discarded; only the top half could be found when the collection was first mounted and it was hung in the museum. The latter part was found 15 years ago in a cave, deemed authentic, restored and the work was subsequently reassembled.
As with the piece shown on this page, 16th century nobility were instantly recognised by their signature white, starched, ruffled or pleated collars.
Another artist whose works adorn the walls of El Prado is Diego Velasquez, a child prodigy who at age 11 received first prize from the Academy of Fine Arts in Spain. By 17, he painted 'Adoration of The Wise Men'. The subjects include a black man and a strong point of light. As was popular at the time, the artist used the members of his own family to pose for him to represent the figures in the work 'La Adoracion de los Reyes Majos'. A close study shows two disciples, the symbolic sunrise in the background depicting the birth of Jesus as a new light for the world. However, the artist introduced the use of artificial light with shade in the chiaroscuro technique.
Other works by this artist include 'Los Borachos El Triumph de Baca' and 'Los Melinas'.
Francisco de Goya, another son of Spain, took his examinations three times at the Academy of Arts but failed. He was eventually succesful in his late 30s. His works include six portraits of King Ferdinand and a poignant work of the meeting between the French and Spanish during a battle that saw Egyptian mercenaries fighting with kitchen knives. Goya's vantage point was from a tower visible in the background of the painting. The dominant feeling that jumps at the viewer from this canvas, is one of horror and the artist's displeasure with the king.
Goya's works include a series done at the darkest period of his life. They tell the story of his depression during the years when seven of his eight children died of tuberculosis. He suffered severely in his later years from the disease; some speculate this might have been from his constant use of saliva on his paint brushes. Added to Goya's woes, his friends were expelled by the king so he bought a house on the outskirts of Madrid, locked the doors and windows and painted in oil on the walls. The result - his series of "black" paintings depicting his criticism of the powers that be and religion.
Quite symbolic is his piece that showed Spain as a dog drowning in quicksand. Goya died at age 48.
Strict behaviour code
Visitors to the museums in Madrid must observe a strict code of behaviour. There are several student and tourist groups with guides and guards seem to be everywhere at once. To protect the paintings from the exposure to light, no cameras with flash are allowed and exhibits must not be touched.
