The Easel

The Prado Museum, Spain’s cultural jewel, turns 200

The Prado has turned 200. It boasts a fabulous collection, especially of Old Masters, reflecting a national journey through monarchy, civil war and a still uneasy relationship with the Franco dictatorship. Many see an institution invigorated by the greater autonomy it now has to pursue its art history mandate. Says one proud local “the Prado represents the best image of Spain.”