Madrid Day 7: Masterpieces

Today is Sunday, and I’ve now been here a week. I’m enjoying my time but miss the family quite a bit. Oliver played a basketball tournament that I really wish I could’ve attended. Sounds like he played great, which is weird given I wasn’t there to coach him! JK 😉 Great job buddy!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

This morning I visited Museo Reina Sofia, a 20th century Spanish museum that houses a large collection of works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and others. Compared to the Prado, which houses European art from the 12th century up to the 20th century, I found the modern/contemporary art of the Reina Sophia to be much more enjoyable. Lo siento, Senor Goya! 

I opted for the digital audio tour for 4 euro, which made the experience even better. Picasso’s massive 1937 masterpiece known as Guernica is the star of the show. Picasso created the painting in response to a bombing in Guernica, Spain which was conducted by Nazi Germany and Italian fascists, at the request of Spanish nationalists. It is a powerful symbol of anti-war and anti-fascism. 

There are not words. 

Other works by Picasso can be seen below:

Woman in Blue, 1901

Fruit Bowl, 1910. It said that Picasso started with an image and then deconstructed it piece by piece creating the illusion of a collage. Is that an apricot? 

And a few by Salvador Dali…

Figure at the window, 1925

The Great Masterbator, 1929. If you consider the point at the bottom as a nose, you can actually see Dali’s face (looking down) in this painting. He struggled mightily with his own sexual identity which is represented in many ways here. 

I then went out to the garden and came across a very interesting piece by the only American artist, I’ve seen here. Dan Graham was born in Urbana, IL and created Dhaka Pavilion for the Reina. I took the photo below myself. The reflective materials actually put you in the piece. 

Hey, that’s me! 

We capped the day with a visit to Santiago Barnabeau Estadium which is the home of the Real Madrid soccer team. The game visit was a bit of a bust as they are currently upgrading the facility (to the tune of $1 billion) and surprisingly denied my request to play a game on the pitch.  Lame! But we did see the plans for the stadium and the many, many, many trophies this club has won. 

For just $1 Billion, you can have one too!

I love this. Many international teams have team motto’s like this. 

Sort of looks like my trophy case at home. 

Hype video, Spain style.