Museum of Fine Arts: Learn the A-Z of Art

The Museum of Fine Arts of Argentina is located in a landscaped park in Barrio Norte, on the splendid Avenida del Libertador and Avenida Figueroa Alcorta. It lies in close proximity to the Recoleta Cemetery, which is one of the most famous places of the city. The magnificence of the Byzantine era is apparent. The headstone of Argentina’s saint, Evita Perón, is less flashy and is always adorned with fresh flowers. The districts of Recoleta and Barrio Norte are upscale and luxuriant. In addition, the apartments in the fin de siècle blocks are equally expensive.

The museum on its own has a prosaic past. The symmetrical building served as the pumping station for municipal waterworks. It was architect Alejandro Bustillo who designed the museum in imperial style. This became the country’s architecture of choice after a few years. The humungous Faculty of Law overshadows the Museum from the eastern side. It is an exponent of the fascist style.

It is widely believed that the Mexicans are descendants of the Aztecs, Peruvians, and Incas. The popular saying is that the Argentineans are descendants of the ships. Most Argentineans till today long for Europe, their former homeland. Therefore, they do not consider themselves part of Latin America. The echo of Europe resonates in all areas of Argentina, including the Museum of Fine Arts.

The 1930s saw a surge in art exhibits at the museum. The museum houses works that belonged to the affluent cattle barons and wheat kings. These individuals were extremely rich and had connections in Europe.

The authorities of Buenos Aires always compared the city to Paris. The museum has the largest collection of European art in all of Latin America. However, the collection of art of the Renaissance period needs improvement.

Some of the famous artists include Goya, El Greco, Tintoretto, Tiepolo, Rubens, Zurbarán, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Manet, Monet, Modigliani, Dégas, Picasso, Kandinsky, Klee, and Miró. World-famous sculptors include Bourdelle and Auguste Rodin. The 32 rooms house more than 300 works.

The first floor is dedicated to European art, whereas the second floor is home to indigenous artists. 20th century Argentinean art developed independently and has no influence of other countries. Contemporary artists include Carlos Morel, Benjamin Franklin Rawson, Prilidiano Pueyrrdón, Cándido López, Eduardi Sivori, and Ernesto de la Cárcova. These artists draw huge prices for their works.

Among the sculptures, Antoine Bourdelle’s The Dying Centaur is noteworthy. Lucio Correa Morales is also famous. However, nothing comes close to Rodin’s Bust of Balzac.

The exhibitions held at the Avenida del Libertador draw large crowds. The library containing more than 30000 volumes is a perfect compliment to the museum. The Recoleta Cultural Center at the Plaza Francia is famous for furniture designs and decorative objects. The restaurant at the museum serves culinary delights.