Teresa Vega, our highly educated and renaissance guide, reminds us here that beyond the world-class museums and exhibition halls that make Madrid a magnet for discerning travelers, there is a universe of art galleries, displaying the most contemporary tendencies. Teresa has been kind in unveiling us her 5 favorite ones.
With them you can build a really distinctive tour in town:
Our city is undoubtedly one of the main cultural centers of Europe, and boasts such amazing museums as the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza or the Reina Sofía, all centered around the so-called Art Walk, a paradise for art-lovers. But apart from these grand institutions, there are a host of smaller museums (the lovely Sorolla Museum with its peaceful garden, or the Academy of San Fernando, a must for Goya fans), cultural centres (Caixaforum, Mapfre, Círculo de Bellas Artes, Fundación March or La Casa Encendida), first class art fairs like ARCO, that takes place in mid-february, and groundbreaking galleries. Let me recommend some of my favorites…
San Mateo, 16. 28004 // T. 913 100 098 / F. 913 199 817
Tuesday-Friday: 11-19 h. / Saturday: 11-14.30 h.
A relatively new space, Travesía Cuatro is one of the most exciting venues devoted to the work of emergent and mid-career national and international artists. It is located in the center of Madrid, in a vibrant and happening neighborhood full of restaurants, bars, boutiques and art galleries.
Alameda, 9. 28014 // T. 913 601 325 / F. 913 601 322
Tuesday-Saturday: 11-20 h. / Sunday: 11-14h.
Since 2003 this gallery has turned into a leading space for prominent artists like Marina Abramovic, Araki and Paul Graham, and also for interesting emerging photographers. Although it is centered in photography, other art forms, like video, find their place in La Fabrica. They also publish some beautiful books. It is situated in one of the most attractive neighborhoods for contemporary art lovers, close to the Reina Sofía Museum and to the Caixaforum centre, with its lovely vertical garden.
Orfila, 5. 28010 // T. 913 191 414 / F. 913 084 345
Monday-Saturday: 11-19 h.
Part of the world-famous group of galleries founded in 1946 and that now has branches in New York, London, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires and Tokio, its activity is concentrated on presenting works of our country’s most renowned artists like Saura, Genovés, Antonio López and Manolo Valdés. From february 2013 they will be showing graphic work by Francis Bacon.
General Castaños, 3. 28004 // T. 913 195 900
Monday-Friday: 10.30-19 h. / Saturday: 11-14 h.
Elvira Gonzalez is one of the leading names in our city’s art scene, along with other distinguished ladies like Juana de Aizpuru, Soledad Lorenzo, Helga de Alvear, Lola Moriarty or Oliva Arauna, whose galleries have attained widespread acclaim. Her main objective is to focus on great Spanish and international creators like Tapies, Julio Gonzalez, Elena del Rivero, Judd or Pistoletto. If you are in Madrid in february or march, don’t miss Miquel Barcelo’s exhibition.
Santo Tomé, 6 Patio. 28004 // T. 913 195 517 / F. 913 103 127
[email protected]
Monday-Friday: 10-14 h. 16.30-20.30 h. / Saturday: 11-14 h.
Just a short walk away, Max Estrella is another gallery which I particularly like, with innovative artists like Daniel Canogar,Javier Arce, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer or Duane Michals.
Lets us surprise you with the new ones!!!
