# Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

> national museum of art in Madrid, Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q460889](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q460889)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museo_Nacional_Centro_de_Arte_Reina_Sofía)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/museo-nacional-centro-de-arte-reina-sofia

## Summary
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is a national museum of art located in Madrid, Spain, established in 1992. It functions as a prominent arts center and monument within the city's cultural landscape, named after Queen Sofía of Spain, who served as queen consort from 1975 to 2014. The institution is a key component of Madrid's "Golden Triangle of Art," housing significant works by artists such as Salvador Dalí.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (also known as Museo Reina Sofía, El Reina Sofia, Reina Sofía, La Sofia).
- **Classification:** National museum of art, art museum, arts center, and monument.
- **Location:** Madrid, Spain (Coordinates: 40.40857142931185, -3.6939960970080357).
- **Inception Date:** 1992.
- **Namesake:** Queen Sofía of Spain (Queen consort from 1975 to 2014).
- **Key Leadership:** Manuel Borja-Villel, a Spanish art historian.
- **Notable Collection Items:** "Young Woman at a Window" (1925 painting by Salvador Dalí) and "Portrait of Luis Buñuel" (1924 painting by Salvador Dalí).
- **Cultural Context:** Part of the Golden Triangle of Art, a formation of three prominent museums in Madrid.
- **Digital Presence:** Website at https://www.museoreinasofia.es/.
- **Wikidata Metrics:** 45 sitelinks; Wikipedia title: "Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía".

## FAQs
**What is the primary function and classification of the museum?**
The institution operates as a national museum of art and an arts center dedicated to the exhibition of art and encouraging community engagement. It is also classified as a monument, serving as an imposing structure created to commemorate specific cultural purposes.

**Who are the notable figures associated with the museum's leadership and namesake?**
Manuel Borja-Villel serves as a key figure, identified as a Spanish art historian with multiple occupational roles. The museum is named in honor of Queen Sofía of Spain, who was the queen consort from 1975 until 2014, and is also linked to King Juan Carlos I of Spain, who reigned during the same period.

**What specific artworks are owned or operated by the museum?**
The museum's collection includes specific works by Salvador Dalí, such as the 1925 painting "Young Woman at a Window" and the 1924 painting "Portrait of Luis Buñuel." These pieces represent significant holdings within the institution's operational scope.

**How does the museum fit into the broader geography of Madrid's art scene?**
The museum is a constituent part of the "Golden Triangle of Art," a group formed by three prominent museums located in Madrid, Spain. This positioning highlights its role as a central pillar in the city's artistic ecosystem alongside other major institutions.

**Is there any historical connection to scientists like Stanislao Cannizzaro?**
The provided data lists Stanislao Cannizzaro, an Italian chemist (1826–1910), under the "Affiliated with" category for the museum. While his primary occupation was chemistry, this specific dataset records an affiliation link between the scientist and the institution.

## Why It Matters
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía matters because it serves as a definitive national repository for art in Spain, anchoring the country's cultural identity in Madrid. By functioning as both an art museum and an arts center, it bridges the gap between static exhibition and active community encouragement, fulfilling a dual role in the public sphere. Its inclusion in the Golden Triangle of Art solidifies its status as a critical node in the global art network, drawing attention to Spanish modernism and contemporary works. The naming after Queen Sofía connects the institution to the modern history of the Spanish monarchy, specifically the transition period from 1975 to 2014, making it a living monument to that era. Furthermore, its possession of iconic works by Salvador Dalí ensures the preservation and accessibility of pivotal pieces in art history, solving the problem of how to maintain and display such culturally significant artifacts for future generations.

## Notable For
- **Dual Classification:** It is uniquely categorized simultaneously as an art museum, an arts center, and a monument.
- **Royal Patronage:** It is the only major national art museum in Madrid named after a specific queen consort, Queen Sofía.
- **Dalí Holdings:** It houses specific, dated masterpieces by Salvador Dalí, including works from 1924 and 1925.
- **Geographic Integration:** It is one of only three museums forming the prestigious "Golden Triangle of Art" in Madrid.
- **Historical Leadership:** It has been associated with Manuel Borja-Villel, a recognized Spanish art historian with a diverse occupational profile.
- **Scientific Affiliation:** It holds a recorded affiliation with Stanislao Cannizzaro, a notable 19th-century Italian chemist, distinguishing it from purely art-focused entities.
- **Modern Inception:** Unlike many European museums with centuries-old histories, it was formally established in 1992, reflecting a modern approach to national art curation.

## Body

### Institutional Identity and Classification
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is defined by its multifaceted identity as a national museum of art, an arts center, and a monument. As an art museum, it serves as a building or space specifically designed for the exhibition of art. Simultaneously, it operates as an arts center, functioning as a community hub with a specific remit to encourage arts participation. Its status as a monument marks it as an imposing structure created to commemorate a person or event, specifically honoring Queen Sofía of Spain. The entity is also recognized under several aliases, including Museo Reina Sofía, El Reina Sofia, Reina Sofía, and La Sofia, reflecting its prominence in public discourse.

### Geographic and Historical Context
Located in Madrid, the capital of Spain, the museum sits at precise coordinates of latitude 40.40857142931185 and longitude -3.6939960970080357. Madrid itself is situated in southwestern Europe, a country with territories in Africa. The museum's inception is recorded as 1992, marking its establishment in the modern era. This location places it within the "Golden Triangle of Art," a specific formation of three prominent museums in Madrid, Spain, which collectively define the city's art district. The country of Spain has a complex inception history involving various constitutions and political shifts, including the 1978 constitution which is relevant to the museum's modern democratic context.

### Leadership and Key Personnel
The institution's operations and direction are closely tied to specific individuals. Manuel Borja-Villel is a central figure associated with the museum, identified as a Spanish art historian. His professional profile includes multiple occupations, and he holds Spanish citizenship. The museum is named after Queen Sofía of Spain, who served as the queen consort from 1975 to 2014. Her citizenship includes Spain and Andorra, and she is a significant historical figure with a high sitelink count. Additionally, the museum is linked to Juan Carlos I of Spain, who was King of Spain from 1975 to 2014, sharing the same reign period as the namesake queen.

### Artistic Holdings and Collections
The museum's collection includes specific, high-value artworks that define its operational scope. Notable among these is "Young Woman at a Window," a painting created by Salvador Dalí in 1925. Another key piece is "Portrait of Luis Buñuel," also by Salvador Dalí, with an inception date of January 1, 1924. These works are categorized as things owned or operated by the museum, serving as primary attractions. The presence of these Dalí paintings highlights the museum's focus on 20th-century Spanish art and its role in preserving the legacy of major modernist figures.

### Affiliations and External Connections
Beyond its core art collection, the museum maintains affiliations with diverse figures. Stanislao Cannizzaro, an Italian chemist who lived from 1826 to 1910, is listed as an affiliated person. His occupations included chemistry and other scientific roles, and he held Italian citizenship. This connection, while unusual for an art museum, is a specific data point in the entity's profile. The museum also maintains a digital footprint with a website at https://www.museoreinasofia.es/, facilitating access to its information and collections. In terms of digital presence, the entity has a sitelink count of 45 on Wikidata and a specific Wikipedia title, indicating its global recognition and documentation.

## References

1. [Wiki Loves Monuments monuments database. 2017](https://tools.wmflabs.org/heritage/api/api.php?action=search&format=json&srcountry=es&srlang=es&srid=RI-51-0004260)
2. archINFORM
3. [Source](https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en/museum/history)
4. Directorio de Museos y Colecciones de España
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. Integrated Authority File
8. Library of Congress Authorities
9. Union List of Artist Names
10. BnF authorities
11. IdRef
12. CiNii Research
13. [Source](https://structurae.net/structures/museo-nacional-centro-de-arte-reina-sofia)
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. datos.bne.es
16. MusicBrainz
17. [Manuel Borja-Villel. Independent Curators International](http://curatorsintl.org/collaborators/manuel_borja_villel)
18. [Source](https://www.museoreinasofia.es/prensa/nota-de-prensa/manuel-segade-nuevo-director-museo-reina-sofia)
19. [Source](https://www.circulobellasartes.com/medallas/maria-corral/)
20. Visitor Figures 2015
21. Visitor Figures 2016
22. Art's most popular : Exhibition and museum visitor figures 2018
23. Art's most popular : Exhibition and museum visitor figures 2019
24. Art's most popular : Exhibition and museum visitor figures 2021
25. [Source](https://www.lootedart.com/news.php?r=UX1BIE448851)
26. [Source](https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en/visit/access-and-transport)
27. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/147875412ç)
28. [Historia. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía](http://www.museoreinasofia.es/museo/historia)
29. X
30. RERO
31. Quora
32. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
33. [Source](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aipro.php)