Thyssen-Bornemisza

What is now one of Madrid’s most visited museums began as a private collection in the 1920s. Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza began acquiring works by the great European masters with the ambition of creating something comparable to Germany’s leading museums. His son Hans Heinrich continued the legacy and expanded the collection over several decades, extending it from early Italian masters to late 20th-century art.

When the family villa in Lugano ran out of space in the 1980s, several countries and foundations competed to become the new home of the collection. It was Carmen Cervera, the Spanish wife of the baron, who ultimately tipped the balance in favor of Madrid. The museum opened at the Palacio de Villahermosa in 1992, and one year later the Spanish State acquired the works for 350 million dollars. Since 2004, the collection has been further expanded with the baroness’s own works, now displayed on the ground floor with a separate entrance.

The result is a chronological journey through seven centuries of Western painting: Impressionism, German Expressionism, experimental avant-garde movements, and a collection of 19th-century American painting unique in Europe. Van Eyck, Caravaggio, Rubens, Monet, Van Gogh, Hopper, Kandinsky, and Dalí share a journey across 48 rooms that can be followed chronologically or explored freely.

For those looking to go beyond a conventional visit, the museum offers private guided tours, including an experience before public opening hours that allows visitors to explore the galleries in complete intimacy. There are also programs designed for families.

The temporary exhibition dedicated to Carmen Laffón can be visited until September 27.