San Fernando Fine Art Royal Academy

Interesting facts

1. 1

   Francisco de Goya served as the academy's director from 1795 to 1797.

2. 2

   The collection contains 13 original paintings by Goya, including his self-portraits.

3. 3

   The academy owns a collection of over 1,500 copperplate engravings, including complete sets by Goya.

4. 4

   The building's main facade is a rare surviving example of the transition between Churrigueresque and Neoclassical styles in Madrid.

5. 5

   The institution has been the seat of the Royal Academy since 1773.

6. 6

   It holds a significant collection of casts used for centuries by art students for anatomy and figure study.

Overview

The Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando is a fine art museum and academy housed in the 18th-century Goyeneche Palace, designed by José Benito de Churriguera. It holds one of Spain's most significant art collections, encompassing works from the 15th to the 20th century. The museum features an extensive collection of paintings by Francisco de Goya, who was a former director of the institution. The collection also includes works by Zurbarán, Murillo, Sorolla, and Picasso. Beyond painting, the academy maintains significant holdings of drawings, sculptures, and copperplate engravings. The building served as the headquarters for Spain's oldest fine arts institution, founded in 1752. Visitors can explore the preserved period architecture alongside the rotating exhibition galleries.

Insider tips

• Prioritize the Goya room, as it contains some of the museum's most prized historical works.

• Check the temporary exhibition schedule online in advance, as these galleries are often curated with rare loan items.

• Visit the 'Calcografía Nacional' wing to see the historic printing presses and engraving archives.