When Was the Sao Paulo Museum of Art Built?

Art|Art Museum

The São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) is one of the most significant art museums in Brazil. It was opened in 1947 and is located in the center of São Paulo, close to the city’s financial district. The museum is home to an extensive collection of art spanning various eras, ranging from Brazilian Colonial art to European Old Masters and modern and contemporary works.

The idea for a public art museum in São Paulo was proposed by Brazilian doctor and collector Francisco de Paula de Souza in 1911. However, it wasn’t until 1937 that a group of wealthy businessmen from the city founded the Associação Amigos do Museu de Arte, or Friends of the Art Museum Association, for the purpose of establishing a museum.

The original building opened on May 11th 1947 with a mission to promote Brazilian culture through its collection and exhibitions. The building itself is an iconic example of modernist architecture; it was designed by Brazilian architect Lina Bo Bardi, who also designed many other important buildings around Brazil such as the Teatro Oficina and MAM (Museum of Modern Art).

The collection at MASP contains more than 8,000 works from Brazilian artists such as Candido Portinari, Anita Malfatti, Tarsila do Amaral, and many others. It also includes masterpieces from European artists like Rembrandt van Rijn, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and Paul Cézanne. The museum’s holdings also include African sculptures and artifacts as well as Asian pieces such as Chinese porcelain vases.

In 2010 MASP underwent a major renovation which included expanding its exhibition space by 50%, adding new galleries for temporary exhibitions, and enhancing its educational programs. This renovation has allowed MASP to expand its scope beyond just displaying artwork; it now offers programs that allow visitors to interact with the artwork through workshops and lectures given by curators, researchers and artists.

MASP has become one of São Paulo’s major cultural institutions since its opening in 1947; it houses an impressive collection of artwork spanning different cultures and eras while providing educational programs that allow visitors to engage with the artwork on display. It is an important part of Brazil’s cultural heritage that will continue to inspire generations to come.

The Sao Paulo Museum of Art was built in 1947 with a mission to promote Brazilian culture through its collections and exhibitions. Designed by renowned architect Lina Bo Bardi it has since become one of Sao Paulo’s major cultural institutions housing an impressive array of artwork from different cultures and eras while providing educational programs for visitors to engage with what’s on display. Through its redevelopment in 2010 it has become an even more important part of Brazil’s cultural heritage inspiring generations both present day and those yet to come.