by Cassandra DesVergers
Perched on the bottom of the Montjuïc mountain near Plaça d’Espanya sits a large arabesque palace. Known as the “Palau Nacional,” this structure is home to one of Barcelona’s most remarkable museums – the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC).
Scattered across the museum steps, visitors can enjoy a view of the city of Barcelona and the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc or grab a quick bite from the terrace-bar.
Although the museum sector severely affected by COVID-19, the MNAC reported 40% more visitors in 2021.
Ticket prices and opening times can vary depending on exhibition interests and the time of year. Nonetheless, the MNAC is a must-see attraction for both art and history lovers alike.
A Brief History of the MNAC
The Palau Nacional has housed the MNAC since 1934 as a result of a project launched by the Catalan government. Inspired by the 19th century Renaissance movement, the government established the museum in hopes of conserving Spain’s artistic heritage.
The Palau Nacional earned its designation as a national museum in 1990 with the passing of the Museums Law. This piece of legislation established governmental financial support, allowing for the museum to accumulate rich and heterogeneous pieces.
A renovation project based on plans by architects Gae Aulenti and Enric Steegman was also launched in the same year.
On Display: The Writer’s Personal Favorites
Spread over two floors and sectioned by category, the MNAC possesses quite a versatile collection of artwork. The assortment contains Romanesque murals from local churches, paintings and sculptures from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Modern eras and a variety of historical Spanish currency.
Museum patrons observing paintings from the museum’s Gothic collection.
Romanesque
The term “romanesque” was adopted to describe how this type of art is built on elements from Roman, Byzantine, Lombard and Norman culture.
The Romanesque collection at the MNAC is dominated by mural paintings from local churches. Most of these murals were found in the Pyrenees, a mountain range straddling the border between France and Spain.
Mounted between a graying arch, the “Southern Apse from Pedret” faintly depicts an abundance of Byzantine elements. The mural taken from the southern column of the church of Sant Quirze de Pedret in Barcelona makes several references to the biblical event called the “Day of Judgment.”
Pictured on the mural is the parable of the wise and foolish virgins from Matthew 25:1-13 in the Bible.
The Romanesque collection also includes the oldest European altar fronts, polychrome wood carvings, stone sculptures and liturgical objects from the 11th-13th centuries.
Museum information attendant Oser Ramos said a lot of the art in the MNAC collections comes from churches across the region.
“Churches and religion are major parts of Spanish culture,” Ramos said. “Where there are churches, there is art.”
Gothic
The Gothic art style began in Spain as a result of Central European influence. This art form arrived in the 13th century with travelers making a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint James.
The Gothic collection at the MNAC is enriched with Castilian and European pieces from across the Iberian peninsula. However, the main attraction of this collection is its altarpieces. Altarpieces are a religious painting or sculpture placed behind an altar in a church.
Carefully mounted on a table against a back wall sits the “Altarpiece of Saint Michael and Saint Peter.” Permanent water-based paint, gold and metal plating on a wood panel make up the composition of the work.
Spanish artist Jaume Cirera created this panel for the Church of Saint Michael in the 15th century.
Museum patron Beatrice Campos said she particularly enjoys this piece because of the artist’s careful attention to detail.
“I really like how you can see the emotions on the faces,” Campos said. “It makes the work feel way more alive, especially when compared to some of the other collections in the museum.”
Renaissance and Baroque
The Renaissance and Baroque collection contains masterpieces from the Spanish Golden Age. This period was marked by a flourishing period of arts and literature in Spain. The paintings and sculptures during this era contained stronger religious elements than ever before.
The images and symbols used in the MNAC’s Renaissance and Baroque collection tend to transform scenes of terrible torture into images of divinity and worship. Still life is also commonly associated with this collection.
Catching visitors by surprise, the polychrome statue of Saint Sebastian shows the apostle’s sufferings. Sculptor Andrea Bregno uses flecks of red paint on an inert and stationary figure to further display the persecution.
The museum purchased Saint Sebastian in 1932. The statue has been in their possession for about 90 years.
The Renaissance and Baroque collection also highlights pieces from Alsatian artists Antonio Viladomat and Joan de Burgunya and German artist Ayne Bru.
Modern
Modernism gained its popularity in the Catalan region around the 19th century. This style of art is representative of a movement that allowed the region to set itself apart from the rest of Spain. It has become symbolic of Catalonia’s individualism.
The Modern collection at the MNAC possesses a wide range of examples. It contains pieces from the Neoclassical era to the more avant-garde styles of the 1950s. There are also works from Spanish painter Marià Fortuny, Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, Spanish architect Josep Maria Jujol, Catalan artists Ramon Casas and Pere Torné i Esquius and Spanish artists Santiago Rusiñol, Pablo Picasso, Pablo Gargallo, Julio González and Joan Miró.
In a separate room dedicated to Spanish cartoonist Benet Rosell, three discolored sheets lay flat behind a thick plexiglass box. While objectively simple, this set of ink on paper promotes a powerful message centered upon the dangers of society.
These drawings by Rossell were published in Spain’s literary humor magazine “La Codorniz.”
The collection also offers a new display of its modern art. After a reorganization of the museum in 2014, a more critical and complex exhibition was developed. Each piece within this collection now has its social, historical and artistic background additionally displayed with it.
Numismatics
The numismatics cabinet exhibits more than 155,000 coins ranging from sixth century B.C. to the present day payments. Medieval, modern and contemporary currencies join insignia of the past in this collection.
“Numismatics” involves the study of currency. It can be used to learn about the trade, economy and society of a region.
Museum information attendant Felix Nilsen said the MNAC believes the country’s currency history and heritage is also considered to be a work of art.
“Art is history,” Nilsen said. “And there is a lot of history when it comes to currency.”
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