Italian painting tour

The oldest works on this itinerary were created by artists from the 15 century, such as Fra Angelico, Antonello de Messina, and Andrea Mantegna.

In their paintings, we can see religious scenes from the Bible.

The collection has a few works, but they are of high quality.

In their time, these works were very modern because they represented depth and nature.

These paintings are part of the Italian Renaissance.

The Renaissance was an art style based on the forms and subjects of Ancient Greece and Rome.

The people of this period tried to understand the world and themselves as human beings.

Italy was a very important art centre during the Renaissance in the 15 and 16 centuries.

The Kings of Spain appreciated Italian paintings and began collecting artworks in the 16 century.

As a result, the collection of Italian paintings at the Prado Museum is considered one of the most significant in the world.

During the 16 century, several notable artists, such as Titian, Raphael, Veronese, Tintoretto, Carracci, Correggio, and Sebastiano del Piombo gained recognition for their exceptional artistic creations.

Titian is a very important painter in this collection because he was one of the favourite artists of the king.

He worked for King Charles the Fifth and his son, King Philip the Second.

The Prado Museum has many paintings by Titian.

Some are portraits, and others depict religious or mythological scenes.

Mythology is a collection of stories about gods, heroes and traditions specific to nations or cultures.

The paintings by Titian, owned by the kings, were crucial for Spanish painters.

Spanish painters observed the paintings by Titian and learned his use of colour and his method of portraying figures on foot or horseback.

In the 17 century, Spanish King Philip the Fourth had a great interest in art.

He expanded the Spanish royal collection by buying many Italian artworks.

He also sent the painter Velázquez to Italy to buy paintings and sculptures to complete the collection.

Also, the king ordered the construction of the Buen Retiro Palace in Madrid.

He commissioned Spanish and Italian artists to create many paintings to decorate the rooms of the palace.

Most of these paintings are now in the rooms of the Prado Museum.

Some of the most important Italian artists of the 17 century include Orazio Gentileschi and his daughter Artemisia, Caravaggio, and Guido Reni.

During the 18 century, kings commissioned more works from Italian artists, such as Venetian painter Giambattista Tiepolo.

King Charles the Third even asked him to come to Madrid to paint in his palace.