The question of at what age to start introducing children to painting art is decided in each family in its way. But if there is an opportunity to visit a large art gallery during trips to other countries, it is worth trying to arouse the child's interest in such an excursion. For example, the National Art Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona encourages children to visit by making admission free for them.
The museum (Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluña, or MNAC) is located in the building of the National Palace, built in 1929 at the foot of Montjuic. Its collection is so extensive that visitors are offered a two-day tour. The exposition of the museum consists of several sections.
The section on Romanesque art is devoted to Spanish painting of the 11th-13th centuries. Its most valuable exhibits are the frescoes found in the churches of small towns and transferred to the museum. Catalan painting of the 13th-15th centuries is presented in the section on Gothic art. A separate section is devoted to the Renaissance and Baroque XVI–XVIII art. This section includes Spanish, Italian and Flemish fiction.
The contemporary art section covers the work of Catalan masters from the 19th century to the present day. It presents not only painting but also graphics, engravings, and photography. If your child in Barcelona first heard the names of Gaudi, Picasso and Dali in the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, he will be interested in seeing their work. In other sections, paintings by great painters are presented: Velazquez, El Greco, Rubens, Goya, and Rusinol.
The numismatic collection of the Museo Nacional de Arte Nacional de Catalunya also deserves attention. Coins and banknotes from Catalonia and its neighbouring territories are on display. Some of the pieces in this collection are over 2,000 years old.
We recommend using the audio guide to understand the intricacies of styles and trends better. There are also playful tours for children, and young visitors enjoy the opportunity to reincarnate as professional artists.
The Museu Nacional de Arte de Catalunya is next to the beautiful Parque de Montjuïc. The Magic Fountain show takes place in front of the National Palace in the evening. On the roof of the museum building is an observation deck from which Barcelona looks like a vast, colourful anthill.
