ART SPACES: Museo del Prado, The Lovers of Teruel, The Death of Seneca, and Las Meninas
The city of Madrid, Spain is perhaps one of the most well crafted metropolises in the world. If I were to create a perfume that captures the essence of its streets, it would feature top notes of eucalyptus and cypress, as to capture the airiness of Retiro park, paired with base notes of cigarette smoke to embody the city’s lively urban streets. This blend of nature and urbanity was all I could think about when I walked to the Museo Nacional del Prado during the summer of 2023.
The impressive exterior of the museum, adorned with stunning columns and multiple entrances lined with visitors, is just a preview of the treasures inside. Once inside, the Prado is transformed into a feast for your senses, each room a new course and every piece a different flavor. I spent hours plugged into my airpods roaming the hallways of the Prado, stopping and gawking at masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, Rubens, and many more. If I had the stamina, I would write at length about every piece which captivated me (which, to be honest, would be nearly every work). The Prado is home to many iconic pieces such as Hieronymus Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights, Fransisco Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son, and The Third of May. But in this article, I explore just three pieces that particularly resonated with me: The Lovers of Teruel by Antonio Muñoz Degrain, The Death of Seneca by Manuel Domínguez Sánchez, and Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez.
The Lovers of Teruel: A Tale of Love and Death
One my favorite themes explored by pieces from the nineteenth century is death and its intersection with love, grief, and sacrifice. I distinctly remember rounding the corner and being awestruck by The Lovers of Teruel, a piece by Antonio Muñoz Degrain. I felt drawn to this piece as the vibrant colors and dramatic composition pulled me into a story of impossible love.
The painting tells the story of Isabel de Segura and Diego de Marcilla, childhood lovers who were separated due to financial constraints. Despite her deep love for Diego, Isabel’s father forces her to marry another man. Pledged to another, Isabel refuses to kiss Diego when they reunite, and he dies instantaneously of love. The painting captures the aftermath of his death, with Isabel dressed in her wedding attire, having died of love after giving the deceased a kiss. She is shown hanging over his corpse, finally with him even if only in death.
The colors of the piece are excited and decorative which juxtapose the funeral scene and the parting of two lovers. Their love, so vivid and full of life, is only fully realized in death. The lush setting, with rich colors, suggest that their transcends the boundaries of life and death– eternalized in this final scene together. The emotional complexity of this piece is one of the reasons why The Lovers of Teruel remains one of my favorites, as it explores the delicate balance of love, life, and death.
The Death of Seneca: Tragedy and Stoicism
Another piece which resonated with me was The Death of Seneca by Manuel Domínguez Sánchez. This masterpiece, which won the first prize at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in 1871, depicts the Roman philosopher Seneca’ forced suicide, which was ordered by his former student, Emperor Nero.
The scene is both tragic and poignant. Seneca, having first cut his veins, and then ingested poison, lies lifeless in a bathtub, while his friends mourn. The stark contrast between Seneca’s drained pale skin and the vivid pink flesh of his weeping friend further intensifies the painting’s emotional weight. The painting suggests the conflict between stoic philosophy and the human response to death– while Seneca has calmly accepted his fate, his friends struggle with grief and despair.
Seneca, a famous stoic philosopher believed that it was better to conquer grief rather than deceive it yet, his friends are unable to do so. This stark contrast between Seneca’s composure and his friend’s sorrow capture the profound emotional and philosophical weight of the moment. In accepting his fate, Seneca has found utter liberation whole his friends are chained to their sorrow.
Las Meninas: A Puzzle of Perspective and Identity
No visit to the Prado is complete without Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez . This painting is much more than just a royal portrait; it is a complex interplay of perspective, identity, and the nature of artistic representation itself. The scene features the young Infanta Margaret Theresea surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting (meninas), but what makes this piece extraordinary is its changing perspective. Velázquez himself appears in the painting, standing at a canvas as if painting the very scene we are looking at.
The interplay between the viewer, the characters in the painting, and the artist himself create an unsettling yet harmonious experience. The use of shadow and light along with the ambiguous space between the viewer and subjects, draws you into a reflective engagement with the painting. The question of whose portrait this truly is, and from whose perspective, make it a masterpiece with endless interpretation.
This piece demands time and patience. I spent what felt like hours staring at Las Meninas, captivated by the details and layers embedded in the composition. It is the kind of work that challenges you to truly consider perspective versus reality and the relationship between the two.
The Heart of Madrid
The Museo Nacional del Prado remains one of my favorite art museums in the world. Its vast collection offers a new discovery with every visit and is a must see destination for visitors. For me, every trip to Madrid will always include a stop at the Prado where art, history, and emotion collide. The Prado offers a window into the soul of Spain that simply must be experienced.
