Romanesque art Barcelona
Talking about the Romanesque art is not among my hobbies, not even among my interests.
It is true that I do not understand the meaning of seeing paintings with long faces and disproportionate extremities.
Why use a space to expose sculptures from times where it seems that they did not know how to paint or sculpt?
Or did they know it?
To find an answer to this question, a visit to the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is mandatory. This museum is located at the top of Monjuic, having amazing views over Barcelona.
The National Palace, was built for the Universal exposition of 1929 and now have the most important art Romanesque collection of the entire world. So, it is worth a visit during your stay in Barcelona and learn about our iconographic past.
Just at the beginning of the exposition you will be astonished concerning the resources employed by the museum to expose such big paintings.
You will find frescoes that were at churches all along the Pyrenees, now relocated in similar spaces, hence you will admire them as is you were in the original church.
I will not talk about spirituality, but I will say that you have striking sensations as long as you are discovering apsis, mural paintings, altarpieces and holy virgins with child. We feel insignificant but full of hope at the same time.
It is not uncommon that important artists as Picasso, were truly impressed with this art.
Picasso himself, during a stay in Gosol, a village in the Catalan Pyrenees, was struck by the statue of the virgin with child in the church village. ( this statue is now at the MNAC).
He experimented a transformation changing the way he painted.
The Romanesque art does not leave you indifferent.
If the aim of art is touching us, surprising us, move us or make us think, the Romanesque art is art in capital letters.
And you have it in all of its glory at the MNAC.
More information at the museum website: https://www.museunacional.cat/en