12 must-see works at the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid
If you want to enjoy contemporary art at its finest, visiting the Reina Sofía Museum is practically essential. Located in the heart of Madrid, this space brings together some of the finest works of the 20th century, and walking through it also helps you understand the social and political changes that shaped Spain’s history. Today, we show you some works you simply cannot miss when you visit.
12 works at the Reina Sofía you can’t miss
1. Guernica, by Pablo Picasso
It is impossible to talk about the Reina Sofía Museum without starting with Guernica. This monumental work, created by Pablo Picasso in 1937, is one of the greatest icons of 20th-century art. Painted in black, white, and shades of gray, it represents the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.
Its cubist style fragments human and animal figures to convey pain, chaos, and violence. It is not a traditional narrative painting, but rather a visual cry against war. Its importance goes beyond art: Guernica is a universal symbol of civilian suffering and political protest through art.
2. The Face of the Great Masturbator, by Salvador Dalí
In this work, Dalí explores the universe of surrealism from a deeply personal perspective. The Face of the Great Masturbator depicts a distorted, almost dreamlike figure (as is common in his work), loaded with sexual and psychological symbols.
The surrealist style is expressed through dream logic, where elements appear disconnected but respond to an internal language. This work is key to understanding Dalí’s most introspective phase and his interest in the subconscious, influenced by Freud’s theories.
3. The Open Window, by Juan Gris
Juan Gris is one of the great representatives of cubism, and in The Open Window he offers a more orderly and structured vision of the movement. Unlike the more analytical cubism of Picasso or Braque, Gris opts for a clear, almost mathematical composition.
The work plays with overlapping planes and balanced colors, presenting an everyday scene transformed by the cubist language. Its importance lies in consolidating a more rational strand of cubism, essential to the evolution of modern art.
4. Woman in Blue, by Pablo Picasso
This painting belongs to Picasso’s early period, prior to cubism. Woman in Blue shows influences of post-impressionism and the Blue Period, both in its color palette and in the melancholy of the figure.
The female figure appears elongated and serene, conveying introspection. It is a fundamental work for understanding the artist’s stylistic transition and his constant search for new forms of representation.
5. A World, by Ángeles Santos
A World is one of the museum’s most surprising works, especially because it was created by Ángeles Santos at just 17 years old. The painting presents an imaginary planet inhabited by human figures engaged in everyday activities.
Its style combines elements of surrealism and magical realism, creating a symbolic and almost prophetic vision. The work is important for its originality and for establishing Ángeles Santos as a key—though often overlooked—figure of the Spanish avant-garde.
6. Snail, Woman, Flower, Star, by Joan Miró
Miró’s style may be one of the most recognizable in the world, and this is no coincidence. In this work, the artist’s simple forms float over a neutral background, creating one of his many poetic universes.
Its importance lies in having created one of the most recognizable artistic identities of the 20th century, influencing painting, design, and sculpture alike.
7. Girl at the Window, by Salvador Dalí
Unlike his more surrealist works, Girl at the Window shows a more intimate and realistic Dalí. The female figure, seen from behind, gazes at the landscape from a bright room.
The style is serene and detailed, almost classical. This work is important because it reveals Dalí’s versatility and his technical mastery before his full immersion in provocative surrealism.
8. The House of the Palm Tree, by Joan Miró
In this early painting, Miró is still in a process of stylistic exploration. The House of the Palm Tree depicts a simplified landscape, where the traits that would later define his work are already suggested.
The importance of this piece lies in showing the artist’s evolutionary path, from schematic figuration toward his own abstract and symbolic language.
9. Sonia de Klamery, by Hermen Anglada Camarasa
Anglada Camarasa was a fundamental artist of Spanish modernism. In Sonia de Klamery, the use of color takes center stage. The female figure is enveloped in a decorative and vibrant atmosphere.
His style breaks with traditional academic conventions and moves toward a more emotional form of painting. This work is key to understanding the transition toward modernity in early 20th-century Spanish painting.
10. Circles in the Center, by Wassily Kandinsky
Kandinsky is considered one of the fathers of abstract art. In Circles in the Center, he seeks to convey the idea that art can express emotions through simple forms and the interplay of color. Its importance is fundamental to understanding the birth of abstraction as an autonomous language.
11. Christ of the Blood, by Ignacio Zuloaga
This work by Zuloaga is particularly striking and reflects an interesting blend of tradition and modernity. Christ of the Blood offers an intense and dramatic vision of religion in Spain, with a sober and powerful aesthetic.
With a style close to expressionism, it highlights the emotional rawness of the subject. It is an important work because it connects modern art with Spain’s cultural and spiritual roots.
12. Composition, by Rafael Alberti
Although better known as a poet, Rafael Alberti also explored painting. Composition is an abstract work that reflects his interest in form, rhythm, and visual balance.
Its importance within the Reina Sofía Museum lies in showing the interdisciplinarity of the artists of the Generation of ’27 and their constant dialogue between literature and the visual arts.
An essential visit in Madrid
The Reina Sofía Museum allows us to see major works of art history and to understand the evolution of different artists’ styles through their paintings, at a historical moment when experimentation and the development of new artistic styles were defining characteristics.
The best way to enjoy and understand the background of these and other works is to plan your visit and buy your Reina Sofía tickets in advance, ideally with a guided tour. This way, you can learn about the stories, contexts, and hidden meanings behind each work and experience art in a deeper and more engaging way.