A Visit to Caixa Forum Art & Photography Exhibitions, Palma de Mallorca

Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, it is one of the best examples of modernist architecture on the island. For just 4€, or free entry if you hold a La Caixa or Barclays account, it is well worth a visit. Not only does it offer a great collection of Art, but it also provides an escape from the heat and the bustle of tourists. In fact, at 2pm on a Tuesday afternoon, I found myself completely alone with the paintings.

Currently showing is, El Greco: Rusiñol's Gaze, and commemorates 400 years since the Greek masters death. The artist, Santiago Rusiñol, was a keen admirer and collector of his work and his own career was clearly influenced by him.  While others at the time put El Greco's modernist style down to a lack of technique, Rusiñol appreciated his mysticism, liberation of colour and daring treatment of light.

El Greco was the "painter of souls", and the intimate relationship between painter and subject is captured in Rusiñol's own portraits on display. The exhibition is held over three rooms and includes work from both El Greco and Rusiñol as well as other admirers of his work. It's worth getting an audio guide for 2€ to find out the stories behind paintings such as El Greco's The Tears of St Peter and The Penitent Magdalene. This exhibition runs from 18th June to 12th October 2015.

Further up the grand staircase, you'll find the exhibition Five Minutes: Press Portraits by the photographer by Pedro Madueño. His work is regularly featured in La Vanguardia newspaper. There are several photographs of writers including Joyce Carol Oates, Juan Goytisolo and John Irving, as well as actors, artists and the chef Ferran Adrià. The close up shots are striking and show Madueño's instinct for composition. In one of the rooms, a quote runs along the wall - Hay un paisaje en cada rostro, con relieves que explican la persona - "There's a landscape in each face, with contours that describe a person". There is a rawness about these portraits, and an honesty that draws you in and makes you feel like you are seeing the person for who they really are. The exhibition runs from 30th April to 30th August 2015.

There is also a permanent collection by the modernist artist Hermen Anglada Caramasa, who was born in Barcelona but moved to Pollença half way through his career. The display includes decorative furniture, as well as charcoal drawings and large oil paintings in vivid colours depicting gypsy dancing.

Caixa Forum - Plaza de Weyler, 3 - 07001 Palma - Tel: +34 971 178 500

See some other Sights in Palma.

Follow more from Emily in her blog.