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Prado Museum History

Home to more than 8,000 paintings, 700 sculptures, and so much more, the Prado Museum has established itself as the guardian of the biggest collection of European art worldwide. What we know today as the Prado Museum or the Museo del Prado was designed in 1785 by Juan de Villanueva on the orders of Charles III. But its history holds far more than the name of its architect, and if you want to know more, keep reading!

A timeline of the Prado Museum’s history

Statue of Velázquez in front of Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain.
  • 1785: Juan de Villanueva is commissioned by Charles III to build the Prado Museum. The building was originally meant to house the Natural History Cabinet and was built in a neoclassical style.  
  • 1819: King Ferdinand VII officially opened the museum to the public as the Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures, upon the encouragement of his wife, Queen Maria Isabel de Braganza. The first catalogue included about 300 paintings. 
  • 1881: The museum's collection expanded significantly, including the addition of Goya’s Black Paintings donated by Baron Emile d’Erlanger, enriching its Spanish art holdings.
  • 1936-1939: During the Spanish Civil War, the museum evacuated 353 paintings and other treasures to protect them, moving them to Valencia, Girona, and eventually Geneva, returning them after World War II.
  • 1971-1997: The Casón del Buen Retiro building was incorporated into the Prado Museum complex to display 20th-century art, expanding the museum’s exhibition space.
  • 2001: Due to space constraints from the growing collection, a new building was commissioned on the same site to expand the museum’s capacity.
  • 2007: The expansion project was completed, connecting the new building internally to the original structure, modernizing the museum, and increasing exhibition and visitor facilities.
  • 2023: The Prado Museum welcomed over three million visitors, maintaining its status as one of the world’s premier art museums with outstanding collections of Spanish, Italian, Flemish, and other European masterpieces.

The different periods in the Prado Museum’s history

Origins and early purpose

  • The Prado building was designed in 1785 by architect Juan de Villanueva under King Charles III, originally intended to house the Natural History Cabinet.
  • The building’s function shifted under King Ferdinand VII, who, encouraged by Queen María Isabel de Braganza, established it as a Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures, opening to the public in 1819.
  • The museum aimed to showcase the Spanish Crown’s art collection and assert the value of Spanish art in Europe, and what a great job it’s done!

Formation and growth of the collection

  • The core collection originated from the Spanish royal collection, which was significantly expanded in the 16th century under Charles V and subsequent Habsburg and Bourbon monarchs.
  • Early catalogues listed hundreds of paintings, including masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, Bosch, Titian, Rubens, and El Greco.
  • The collection grew through acquisitions, donations (notably Goya’s Black Paintings in 1881, and the incorporation of other museums’ holdings, such as Museo de la Trinidad (1872) and Museo de Arte Moderno (1971).

Nationalization and expansion

  • After Queen Isabella II’s deposition in 1868, the museum was nationalized and renamed Museo del Prado, as it’s called today. 
  • The original building soon became too small, and understandably so, given the pace at which its collection was expanding. This led to multiple expansions: the initial enlargement in 1918, additional rear pavilions from 1900 to 1960, and the incorporation of nearby buildings like the Casón del Buen Retiro and Salón de Reinos in the late 20th century.

Challenges during war and political change

  • During the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939, artworks were evacuated to protect them, moving through Valencia, Girona, and Geneva, returning after World War II.
  • Under Franco’s dictatorship, many paintings were sent to embassies for safekeeping.
  • The museum played a role in national cultural projects, including decorating public buildings in the late 19th century and supporting provincial museums during the Second Republic.

Architectural and structural evolution

  • The Prado building is part of Charles III’s grand urban plan for Madrid’s Paseo del Prado, designed by Villanueva in the Neoclassical style.
  • Construction was interrupted by the Peninsular War; the building served military purposes before becoming a museum.
  • Recent renovations include the 2007 underground expansion connecting the main building with new facilities, and ongoing plans (approved in 2020) by Norman Foster to renovate and expand the Hall of Realms, part of the Buen Retiro Palace complex acquired by the Prado.

Modern management and funding

  • The museum’s funding evolved from mostly state support to a public-private partnership starting in the early 2000s, allowing more control over its budget and fundraising.
  • Significant bequests, such as Manuel Villaescusa’s $40 million real estate fortune in 1991, have bolstered the museum’s ability to acquire more art. 
  • The Prado remains one of the world’s leading art museums, with millions of visitors annually and a collection spanning European art from the 12th to the early 20th centuries. Incredible, isn’t it?

Paintings at the Prado Museum 

The Prado Museum houses one of the finest collections of European paintings, spanning from the 12th century to the early 20th century, with a special emphasis on Spanish art. Its collection originated from the Spanish royal collection and includes masterpieces by renowned artists such as Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Bosch, Rubens, Titian, and Raphael.

Highlights include iconic works like Las Meninas by Velázquez, The Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch, The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest by El Greco, and Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son. The museum also features important paintings from Italian Renaissance masters and Flemish artists, making it a comprehensive showcase of European art history.

Frequently asked questions about the Prado Museum’s history

The Prado Museum was commissioned in 1785 by King Charles III. Originally intended as a Natural History Cabinet, the building pivoted to art thanks to Queen Maria Isabel de Braganza’s passion for painting. It officially opened as a museum in 1819.