Masterpieces of European Art

Diego Velázquez's 'Las Meninas' (1656) is more than a royal family portrait; it cleverly plays with perspective and the viewer's gaze. Notice how Velázquez himself is painted into the scene, elevating the role of the artist.

Hieronymus Bosch's 'The Garden of Earthly Delights' (1490-1510) is a triptych full of bizarre, fantastical imagery. It’s speculated that Bosch was inspired by alchemical texts, making this piece a visual encyclopedia of medieval thought on sin and redemption.

Francisco Goya's 'The Third of May 1808' (1814) captures the brutal execution of Spanish rebels by Napoleon's troops. Goya's dramatic use of light and shadow, along with the raw emotion, makes this painting a powerful anti-war statement.

Titian's 'Venus and Adonis' (1554) depicts the Roman goddess Venus attempting to restrain her lover Adonis from going hunting. This masterpiece highlights the Renaissance fascination with mythology, human emotion, and the beauty of the human form.

The Prado houses a lesser-known copy of the 'Mona Lisa,' believed to be painted by one of Leonardo da Vinci’s students. This version offers a clearer background and vibrant colors, providing unique insights into the techniques of the era.

Holbein's 'The Ambassadors' (1533) contains an anamorphic skull, a distorted image only visible from a specific angle, symbolizing the inevitability of death.