Prado

Dr Alvord from BYU came to visit us! Dr Alvord is the coordinator for our internship, as well as the professor who directed my study abroad last time I came to Spain. His visit coincided with the visit of Dr Rosenberg, another Spain expert from BYU as well.

Dr Rosenberg took us on a whirlwind tour of the Prado. The Prado is widely considered one of the greatest art museums in Europe, and is home to some of the most significant art works in the world, including the third of May, Las Meninas, The garden of earthly delights, The deposition of Christ, and many others. It was so cool hearing from an expert on the paintings there, as well as the historical context, so that we could get a better understanding of the beautiful art there.

My favorite painting is always Van der Weyden's Deposition of Christ. The massive painting is on machine size canvas, and the detail is exquisite. The fabric in the clothes of each figure is so fine, you can see individual threads. The emotion in the painting is raw, and perfectly painted tears are on most of the faces. Heavy gothic influence is in the S-curve figures and the stylized background. Adam's skull seems to gaze right into the eyes of Nicodemus. Mary, fainting, mirrors Christ's death in fulfillment of the scripture that a sword pierce her heart as well.

Interestingly, this painting was rather controversial because of that, since according to some catholic tradition, the virgin mother never fainted or fell unconscious. The painting was defended saying that perhaps Mary is merely closing her eyes for a moment.

I also love El Greco's Adoration of the Shepherds. My favorite part of the painting is how the light comes from the Christ child, and the people seem to warm their hands around him. El Greco painted himself and his son into the painting, and this was for many years the painting that hung over the family tomb in Toledo. 

Dr Rosenberg talked to us for a long time about the famous Las Meninas, one of the greatest paintings ever created. 

He identified each of the figures, described the significance of the painting, including breaking of the 4th wall (We stand where the King and Queen, reflected in the mirror, stand), the nobility of painting (not something widely accepted at the time), and the closeness of Velazquez with Philip the 4th. Velazquez is the greatest painter of Spain, and one of the greatest of all time. What amazes me is that he never drew before beginning to paint, but would have ideas then start throwing down paint. The paintings have none of the stylization of an El Greco, but a life like quality that isn't present in the Italian school either. 

After the museum, we all went out for pintxos together at a local basque restaurant. It was really fun learning from Dr Rosenberg!