Review of the Thyssen Bornemiszas museum

Madrid is all about art.

Le Grande fromage of the art galleries will always be the epic 'Prado' but snapping on its heels is the Reina Sofia and of course the Thyssen Bornemiszas. This is world class art collected throughout his life by the billionaire Baron Thyssen. As he neared his end it became known that his collection was up for grabs which resulted in a piranha frenzy of European art houses wanting it for their capitals. The Swiss were particularly ferocious and even the British Royal family took an interest. But the Spanish government caught it for 21 million dollars. The fact that the Barons wife was an ex Miss Spain may have had something to do with it.

Whatever the politics the Madrilenos have bagged a diamond. They have housed it in the renaissance Palacio de Vilhermosa just north of Plaza de Cibeles. 700 pesetas gets you inside the Palacio which since the Museum has been set up in 1992 has been totally renovated. The walls are now salmon pink and little elegant skylights illuminate the interior. Never have Old Masters been better lit and there is certainly an absence of crowds so obvious in the Prado.

Now lets get one thing straight - I am no art expert.

I admire good artistry but do not recognise form and symbolism. In a painting I usually focus on something that interests me.

"Oh, so thats what cows looked like in 17th Century Harlaam?"

Modern expressionism I find harder. I struggle to appreciate simple red lines on a white background. The museum is full of modern art. There are recent works by Cezanne, Dega, Hockney and the famous 'harlequin' portrait by Pablo Picasso and Arizona sunset by Georgia O'Keefe.

Old Masters I find easier. My countryman John Constable is always a pleasure and his 'The Lock' was beautiful. Then there were gorgeous Canalettos of Venice followed by works by Boucher and Reynolds. A creepy 'Garden of Eden' by Breughal and the famous portrait of King Henry VIII by Hans Holbein. No wonder he was in such demand it was very lifelike. The Flemish masters had me chuckling with 'a 56 year old man and a 56 year old woman' who couldn't look more bored and dour if they tried.

I've just touched a fraction of what is on show at the museum and it needs at leat two hours to do it justice.When you have had enough head in any direction and there will be an open air cafe. There cultural overload can be washed away with a beverage of your choice. For purely medicinal purposes, of course...