Prado Museum Architecture: Neoclassical Design and History

Prado Museum: Architectural Design

The Prado Museum is conceived as three autonomous bodies or buildings, designed completely independently in terms of image and usage, each featuring separate entrances.

The Central Space

The central space is accessed through a hexastyle portico with Tuscan columns, a rigorous entablature, and a pronounced cornice, surmounted by an attic. Standing before this gate is the statue of Velázquez, which gives the door its name. The central space connects to the cubic volumes of the ends through two longitudinal wings, successfully integrating five distinct and separate cells.

The North Pavilion

The North Pavilion is organized around a roundabout nestled within a square structure. The front is resolved with an Ionic portico in antis supporting an entablature. This front corresponds to the second floor of the building, which was originally the first floor due to the slope of the land, accessed via a ramp. To align the ground level with the actual building floor, a staircase was built to access the original door, altering Villanueva's initial concept. The statue of Goya stands before this access, naming the entrance after the famous painter from Aragon.

The South Hall

The South Hall, or palace, utilizes the Corinthian order and Italianate influences. It is clearly articulated around a square courtyard and a circular structure that now houses one of the most famous art pieces: The Family of Charles IV by Goya. The south facade features two floors: the bottom consists of a large lintel access door, while the upper loggia consists of six Corinthian columns supporting an entablature.

Interior and Exterior Features

• Interior: Spacious rooms are domed, highlighting the northern roundabout, which is composed of eight Doric columns and topped with a coffered ceiling.
• Exterior: The building features two floors, with longitudinal wings displaying a lintel in the upper loggia and a blind arcade on the lower level. These arches feature alternating niches containing large pots and statues, topped by medallions depicting Hispanic sculptors, painters, and architects.

Architectural Legacy

A defining feature of this construction is the alternation between stone and brick, a constant in Villanueva's architecture that significantly influenced contemporary design in Madrid. The simplicity of the design, horizontal alignment, and abstract volume have survived almost intact. The solid cubic structure encapsulates the spirit of neoclassicism, while its monumentality is enhanced by its relationship with the vast esplanade in front. The floor plan is supported by various formal elements that respond to different functions.