A cheap way to see many of the Spanish capital's cultural attractions is to purchase the Madrid Card, which combines a transportation pass (including Madrid Vision bus tours) with free entry to various museums and art centers. The cost is 28€ ($35) for a day, 42€ ($53) for 2 days, and 55€ ($69) for 3 days. Buy it at the at the main Plaza Mayor tourist office, on Madrid Vision buses, at newspaper kioskos, or online at www.madridcard.com.
Goya or No Goya,The Milkmaid & The Colossus Are Still Great Art -- Spain's most fabled museum, the Prado, shocked the art world -- and visitors, too -- when it recently announced that two of its most famous paintings, The Milkmaid of Bordeaux and The Colossus, attributed to Francisco de Goya, are not in fact the work of this Spanish master. Goya specialists agree. The paintings still hang in the Prado, although their attribution has been changed to "attributed" to Goya instead of "by" Goya. Want to see some real Goyas? The Prado has some 150 actual paintings by the artist. At least I think that they do. Some Goya experts are questioning the authorship of some other "supposed" Goyas, especially several portraits. There was such a market for Goyas at the turn of the 19th century that many art dealers -- surprise -- kept turning up with "long-lost" Goyas.
Private Galleries
Madrid has about 150 private art galleries, where you can view and buy the work of modern artists of all styles. Some of the best galleries are located on Claudio Coello (Metro: Retiro or Serrano; bus no. 21 or 53) in the Salamanca district. These include Guillermo de Osma, Claudio Coello 4-1° izda. (tel. 91-435-59-36; Mon-Fri 10am-2pm and 4:30-8:30pm, Sat noon-2pm); Urbino, Claudio Coello 17 (tel. 91-576-51-98; Mon-Fri 10am-2pm and 5-8pm, Sat 11am-2pm); Paz Feliz, Claudio Coello 17 (tel. 91-575-86-86; Mon-Fri 10am-2pm and 5-8pm, Sat 11am-2pm); Oliva Arauna, Claudio Coello 19 (tel. 91-435-18-08; Mon-Fri 10am-2pm and 5-8pm, Sat 11am-2pm); and Jorge Alcolea, Claudio Coello 28 (tel. 91-431-65-92; 10:30am-2:30pm and 5:30-9:30pm). If you're keen on sculptures, visit Capa Esculturas, Claudio Coello 19 (tel. 91-431-05-93; Mon-Fri 10am-2pm and 5-8pm, Sat 11am-2pm).
