Picasso in Madrid:
Tracing his Life & Art in the 1900's

Followed by lunch from a special menu at La Rotonda,
the Westin Palace's restaurant under the stained glass dome

GUERNICA PAINTING by PICASSO

REINA SOFIA MUSEUM, MADRID

The 8th of April, 2023, marks the 50th anniversary since the death of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso.

This year, Insider’s Travel & The Westin Palace bring you, “Picasso’s Madrid: Tracing the Life & Art of a Revolutionary Master in the 1900s”, a tour that studies the artist’s life & work as well as his short, yet impactful, time in Madrid. Following the tour, enjoy lunch at La Rotonda, where you can have the very special meal “Picasso in the Palace”, created by the talented chef, José Luque. 

Your private guide will meet you at the Westin Palace and take you on a walk through the early 20th century. First, you’ll learn about Picasso’s multiple stays at the Palace Hotel before you cross the street to a stop in front of the Prado Museum to learn about his first visit there with his father and when he was appointed director of the Prado Museum, in 1936, shortly after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Next, you’ll head to the Reina Sofia Museum to see some of Picasso’s most important works, including his 1937, Guernica, which was exhibited at the International Exhibition in Paris that year.

After, you will walk through the oldest area of Madrid, the Austrias neighbourhood, and up to the iconic Sol neighbourhood to visit a very special cape shop. Picasso not only would get capes from this shop sent to him while he was abroad, but he is also buried in one of the capes made by this shop!

The last stop is in front of the San Fernando Fine Art Royal Academy, where at 16 years old, Picasso studied in 1897, and was exposed to the work of many great Spanish artists.

To conclude, your guide will take you back to the Westin Palace, where you will be greeted at La Rotonda, the hotel’s stunning restaurant, to have “Picasso in the Palace”, a lunch time meal created in the artist’s honour.

WHAT TO EXPECT

reina-sofia-entrance-madrid

Prado Museum stop & REina Sofia Museum visit

Your first stop is in front of the Prado to learn about its many connections to Picasso, followed by a deep dive into Picasso’s masterpieces in the Reina Sofia Museum.

cape maker, artisan madrid

Private visit to very special CAPE Shop

 Picasso not only would get capes from this shop sent to him while he was abroad, but he is also buried in one of the capes made by this shop!

San Fernando Fine Art Royal Academy
& LUnch at la rotonda

Last is a stop in front of the San Fernando Fine Art Royal Academy before lunch at the Westin Palace’s La Rotonda restaurant. “The Picasso Plate”, awaits you – a lunch time meal created in the artist’s honour. 

DETAILS & BOOKING

Available: Everyday, except Tuesdays & Sundays 

Meeting Place: 1912 Bar in the Westin Palace Hotel

Meeting Time: 10:00am or 5:00pm

Duration: 3 hours, not including meal

What’s included:  Privately guided tour, entrances to the Reina Sofia Museum, private visit to cape shop & its atelier, meal is NOT included in the price. 

 

Prices:

€249 per person for group of 2, minimum 2 people.

€ 199 per person for group of 3.

€ 169 per person for group of 4.

€ 149 per person for group of 5.

6+ people in your group? Please contact us at groups@insiderstravel.io 

 

Lunch/dinner menu, “Picasso in the Palace” is 70€.***
*** Please note that a wonderful vegetarian option is available!

♥ Availability may change due to national or local holidays.

♥  This tour involves standing. Please share mobility issues so that we can make sure your time with us is comfortable.

♥ You will pay for lunch directly at the restaurant, when you are finished.

♥ Also available in Español, Français, Português, etc.

Picasso in the Palace Menu at La Rotonda

Cuisine & everything that was associated with it was a source of inspiration for the artist. Spaces, food & still life fill his work.

To celebrate this “Year of Picasso”,  José Luque, the hotel’s executive chef, pays a

gastronomic tribute to the great artist & one of the most illustrious guests of the Palace Hotel.

Before or after enjoying this menu, don’t miss the 1912 Bar-Museum where you will find a book from 1916 that records the artist’s stay on at least 3 occasions.


Textured “Sangría” from Els Quatre Gats

Remembering the famous tavern that introduced Picasso to the vibrant, bohemian & artistic life of Barcelona

***

Veal carpaccio, watermelon, tofu & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The chef was inspired by the paint pigments and the lack of depth of The Ladies of Avignon,

revolutionary artwork, representing the birth of the cubist movement.

***

Sardine, anchovy & “boquerón” with white garlic from Málaga and an oyster

sauce Malaga

The flavour & scent from the beaches of his childhood

***

Blue Cocktail: curaçao, triple sec, tequila, lime juice & sugar

A mixological nod if you will, inspired by The Blue Period

***

Cubist Meat Stew with Cubed Potatoes

The chef has taken the creative license to apply the aesthetics of the creator of cubism to his recipe. For

this menu, he was inspired by the artwork Houses on the Hill.

***

Stuffed Pavlova (meringue) with absinthe cream

Picasso’s fascination with Russian ballets led him to design the scenery and the posters for their shows at

the beginning of the 20th century. The chef suggests this cake of Russian origin, filled with a cream made

with absinthe, the forbidden liqueur, that is said to have inspired many artists.

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