The National Museum of Fine Arts of Asunción ( es, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de Asunción), located on Mcal. Estigarribia and Iturbe St. in
Asuncion, the capital city of
Paraguay
Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to th ...
, displays over 650 works of art, paintings,
sculptures
Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...
,
ceramics
A ceramic is any of the various hard, brittle, heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials made by shaping and then firing an inorganic, nonmetallic material, such as clay, at a high temperature. Common examples are earthenware, porcelain ...
,
prints,
photographs
A photograph (also known as a photo, image, or picture) is an image created by light falling on a photosensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic image sensor, such as a CCD or a CMOS chip. Most photographs are now created ...
, Paraguayan and international artists. As well as antique coins, furniture and various objects that belonged to its creator.
The museum was founded in 1909 by the collector
Silvano Godoi, the first director-general of museums and archives in
Paraguay
Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to th ...
.
In the same building is the
National Archives,
which houses the largest collection of documents relating to the country's history.
History
Arts in Paraguay
Unlike other
Latin American
Latin Americans ( es, Latinoamericanos; pt, Latino-americanos; ) are the citizens of Latin American countries (or people with cultural, ancestral or national origins in Latin America). Latin American countries and their diasporas are multi-eth ...
countries, which began after the Conquest a virtually continuous production and valuation of works of art, in
Paraguay
Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to th ...
, the evolution of the arts in general was marked by the difficult course of its history.
The rich tradition of craftsmanship ethnicities populated the various territories that make up the country today, had no impact recognized during the colonization process. However, the arrival of the Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries marked a gradual transformation in
music
Music is generally defined as the art of arranging sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm or otherwise expressive content. Exact definitions of music vary considerably around the world, though it is an aspe ...
,
architecture
Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and constructing building ...
and, more importantly, at the height of images, which played a decisive role in the ability of native crafts.
After the expulsion of the
Society of Jesus
, image = Ihs-logo.svg
, image_size = 175px
, caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits
, abbreviation = SJ
, nickname = Jesuits
, formation =
, founders ...
and the decline in the
Franciscan
, image = FrancescoCoA PioM.svg
, image_size = 200px
, caption = A cross, Christ's arm and Saint Francis's arm, a universal symbol of the Franciscans
, abbreviation = OFM
, predecessor =
, ...
presence, there was a sudden interruption in artistic production. This situation only began to change timidly in the 19th century with the emergence of two Paraguayan painters:
Saturio Rios and
Aurelio Garcia, whose arrival coincided with European architects and builders who helped define the urban profile of the city of
Asunción
Asunción (, , , Guarani: Paraguay) is the capital and the largest city of Paraguay.
The city stands on the eastern bank of the Paraguay River, almost at the confluence of this river with the Pilcomayo River. The Paraguay River and the Bay o ...
, capital of the new republic.
Although the
Paraguayan War
The Paraguayan War, also known as the War of the Triple Alliance, was a South American war that lasted from 1864 to 1870. It was fought between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, the Empire of Brazil, and Uruguay. It was the deadlies ...
(1864–1870) hindered the development of the arts, it offered an ideal scenario for the cultivation of satirical illustration. Journals ''Cabichuí'' and ''El Centinela'', edited and printed on the front, represent two priceless examples, both from a historical point of view as aesthetic. For the impression his illustrations, both used the technique of etching, taking
Gregorio Cáceres as one of its main creators.
The massive influx of immigrants, among them several
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...
an artists, scored a valuable imprint on the development of national art. The Italian
Guido Boggiani, discovers the indigenous art; academic
Héctor Da Ponte, is dedicated to the training of young, and French
July Mornet, remained seven years in Paraguay, where, among other activities, held a number of paintings that adorned the ceiling of Palace Lopez.
Thanks to the efforts of Guido Boggiani and the collaboration of some cultural institutions, several young artists,
Carlos Colombino,
Juan Samudio, among others, had the opportunity to access scholarships in Italy, where he perfected his techniques in various schools of academic orientation. Upon his return, were devoted mainly to painting landscapes and portraits.
Juan Silvano Godoy
For those same years,
Juan Silvano Godoi, (1850–1926) a politician wealthy Paraguayan family, is given the task of shaping the first collection of plastic arts that come to the country.
Due to the difficulties of Paraguayan politics, was forced to travel abroad on numerous occasions, which provided it with the purchase of a valuable collection of paintings and sculptures, among which works outstand
Courbet
Jean Désiré Gustave Courbet ( , , ; 10 June 1819 – 31 December 1877) was a French painter who led the Realism movement in 19th-century French painting. Committed to painting only what he could see, he rejected academic convention and t ...
,
Murillo,
Tintoretto
Tintoretto ( , , ; born Jacopo Robusti; late September or early October 1518Bernari and de Vecchi 1970, p. 83.31 May 1594) was an Italian painter identified with the Venetian school. His contemporaries both admired and criticized the speed wit ...
, among others. Juan Silvano Godoi tilted mainly toward the late 19th-century painting, ranging from simple naturalism and academicism. His collection also was enriched by artists from
Rio de la Plata
Rio or Río is the Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Maltese word for "river". When spoken on its own, the word often means Rio de Janeiro, a major city in Brazil.
Rio or Río may also refer to:
Geography Brazil
* Rio de Janeiro
* Rio do Sul, a ...
.
In the early years of the 20th century, the Paraguayan Government expressed the wish that all his works, were reunited within an institution, thereby laying the foundations for the current National Museum of Fine Arts.
The Museum Godoy was finally established in 1909 under the direction of itself Godoy, until his death. In 1939, the institution was formalized by the State as National Museum of Bellas Artes.
Consolidation phase
The works acquired by Juan Silvano Godoi come from artists of the 17th century, Italian and French half of 19th century, creators of Argentines who acquired some significance in subsequent decades and, of course, a whole generation of painters Paraguayans:
Andres Campos Cervera, Carlos Colombino, Juan Samudio,
Jaime Bestard,
Holden Roberto Jara,
Pablo Alborno,
Modesto Delgado Rodas and
Ignacio Núñez Soler, representatives of a school still in its infancy, but vibrant forces and energies.
Among the works of Paraguayan artists stand out the collection of drawings Miguel Acevedo, a satirical vision of the so-called ''belle époque'' and its characters, composed of fifty-seven original works, considered one of the series more important that the museum owns.
The year 1989 saw the start of a new relationship with the museum's public opening exhibitions of national and foreign artists, performing and organizing various educational and cultural activities, which have earned him recognition by the new generations.
Memorable exhibitions include Japanese photographer
Daisaku Ikeda
is a Japanese Buddhist philosopher, educator, author, and nuclear disarmament advocate. He served as the third president and then honorary president of the Soka Gakkai, the largest of Japan's new religious movements. Ikeda is the founding pre ...
, the sample of German contemporary graphic display of fabrics and ethnic
Bolivians
Bolivians ( es, Bolivianos) are people identified with the country of Bolivia. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Bolivians, several (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...
. Also stresses exposure ''Jataity vive'', which shows finely embroidered clothes covered in ''or''poi.
The museum has a team of expert restorers to care for the museum's collection.
Museum's collection
Paraguayan painting
The collection of Paraguayan paintings has works by artists of the 19th century as
Saturio Rios,
Aurelio Garcia. Among the artists of the 20th century stand Andres Campos Cervera, Pablo Alborno, Juan Samudio, Hector Da Ponte, Miguel Acevedo, Modesto Delgado Rodas, Roberto Holden Jara, Jaime Bestard,
Fabiola Adam,
Ofelia Echagüe Vera,
Laura Marquez,
Olga Blinder
Olga Blinder (1921 in Asunción, Paraguay – 19 July 2008) was a Paraguayan painter, engraver and sculptor. Blinder was born in Asunción into a Jewish family. She lived through the Chaco War, World War II, the 1947 Paraguayan Civil War, in addi ...
,
Edith Jiménez, Carlos Colombino.
International painting
Countries with the largest number of works are:
Argentina
Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...
,
Brazil
Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
,
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
,
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
,
Uruguay
Uruguay (; ), officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay ( es, República Oriental del Uruguay), is a country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast; while bordering ...
and
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...
. They are also represented
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
,
Bolivia,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
,
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = National seal
, national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
,
Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...
,
Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
,
Korea
Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...
, and
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
.
Sculpture
Among the collection of sculptures highlighting the works of artists Paraguayans
Patricia Ayala, Andres Campos Cervera, Roberto Ayala,
Hugo Pistilli,
Jorge Wheat and
Angel Yegros and carvings created in the Reductions. The museum also displays works of sculpture by artists from
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
,
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...
, and
Argentina
Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...
.
Individual collections
The museum holds the following collections.
;Saturio Ríos
El Obispo Manuel Palacios
;Andrés Campos Cervera
El Portalet, Vila Joyosa
Caacupe
Esopo
Cabeza de India
Pottery
;Pablo Alborno
Cabeza de viejo
Muchacho con azada
Lapacho rosado
Lapacho amarillo
Anticoli
Paisaje veneciano
;Juan Samudio
El árbol de Artigas
Paisaje de Venecia
Una noche en Burano
;Roberto Holden
Campesino con niño
Mujer campesina
Retrato de Julio Correa
;Olga Blinder
Cabeza
Chiperas
Ñandutí III
;Jaime Bestard
El patio de mi madre
Campesino trabajando en trapiche
;Miguel Acevedo
Arsenio López Decoud
El violinista Fernando Centurión
Jean Paul Casabianca
José Rodríguez Alcalá
References
Further reading
* National Museum of Bellas Arts. Paraguayan German Goethe Institute Cultural Centre. Asunción, 2003
External links
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes – Paraguay – Asunciónpage on
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Museo Nacional De Bellas Artes De Asuncion
1909 establishments in Paraguay
Museums established in 1909
Art museums and galleries in Paraguay
National museums
Museums in Asunción