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The Prado was not originally designed as an art gallery. In 1785, after the plans of Ventura Rodríguez had been rejected, Villanueva completed several designs for a science museum and the academy of science. Constructed later, and not finally completed until 1819, the building retained the basic layout of these sketches.
Although there are close ties with the model of the Museo Pio-Clementino in the Vatican, El Prado as a museum open to the public set the standard for later ages.
The picture shows the main façade of the building.
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