São Paulo Museum Of Art
São Paulo Museum Of Art
5 minutes read•Published on 20-11-2024
In São Paulo, Brazil, you'll find the São Paulo Museum of Art, a vital hub of culture and education renowned for its wide-ranging art collection. It opened its doors in 1947, and its collection includes thousands of pieces from various historical and modern periods. The museum hosts a wide array of art forms and offers cultural and educational activities too. Besides, it stands out due to its distinctive building that was designed by Lina Bo Bardi, which is a notable example of Brazil's modern architecture.
Tickets & tours
A selection of the best tours to experience the São Paulo Museum Of Art with our partner GetYourGuide. These tours offer the best experience for visitors from all around the world.
A short history
The São Paulo Museum of Art, also known as MASP, is a significant cultural center in Brazil. As an initiative of Brazilian journalist Assis Chateaubriand and Italian art dealer Pietro Maria Bardi, the museum was established in 1947. The founders aimed to create a top-tier museum that could showcase both Brazilian and foreign artwork.
The museum's concrete-and-glass building was completed in 1968. Designed by Lina Bo Bardi, Pietro Maria Bardi's spouse and a skilled Brazilian-Italian architect, it has become an emblem of Brazil's cultural identity. It has a unique design which optimizes space utilization and uses transparent glass walls. The museum is located at a plaza and is complemented by subterranean galleries and walkways for pedestrians.
MASP is home to an extensive variety of artwork. Its collection spans from the Renaissance to Impressionism and to modern art. Over the years, the museum has collected more than 8,000 art pieces from different periods and regions making it an unmatched collection in Latin America. It provides patronage to respected artists like Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso, and Modigliani, as well as esteemed Brazilian artists such as Candido Portinari and Tarsila do Amaral.
Beyond its fixed collection, MASP conducts regular temporary exhibitions and educational initiatives. These activities range from art classes to workshops to talks by global artists, curators, and academics. The museum is not just famous for preserving art but also for promoting the interaction between the public and art. Gradually, MASP has turned into an important cultural marker in São Paulo's middle.
One reason to visit
The Portrait of Suzanne Bloch is a substantial reason to visit the São Paulo Museum of Art. Pablo Picasso, a highly recognized artist, made this painting in 1904 during what is known as his Blue Period. This period is characterized by paintings mainly in blue and blue-green. In this work, Picasso presented Suzanne Bloch, a well-known singer from the high society of Paris. This portrait is not only impressive for Picassos skill in painting, but it also provides a glimpse into the deep history and culture of the early 1900s. For anyone with an interest in the history of art or who likes to view remarkable artwork, seeing this painting is essential.
Getting there
Assuming you are starting from the São Paulo Cathedral, head south on Praça da Sé toward R. Florêncio de Abreu and turn right onto R. Florêncio de Abreu. Turn left onto R. Líbero Badaró and follow the street until you reach R. Xavier de Toledo. Turn right onto R. Xavier de Toledo and then take a left onto Av. São Luís. When you reach Praça Ramos de Azevedo, take the fourth exit onto Av. São João. Follow Av. São João until you reach Av. Ipiranga and turn right onto Av. Ipiranga. Follow Av. Ipiranga until you reach R. da Consolação and take a left turn, then a right turn at the R. Rego Freitas and left onto R. Marquês de Paranaguá. Lastly, turn right onto Av. Paulista and you will find the São Paulo Museum of Art located at number 1578.
Starting from Trianon Park, head southeast towards Alameda Santos. Stay on the bike lane and turn left onto Avenida Paulista. Continue to cycle on Avenida Paulista for about 450 meters. You will find the São Paulo Museum of Art located between Alameda Casa Branca and Rua Peixoto Gomide. Remember to lock your bike at the nearby designated bike parking areas before entering the museum. The distance is relatively short (about 5 minutes ride), so make sure to stay safe and enjoy the journey!
To reach the São Paulo Museum of Art by public transport, you should take a bus or metro. If you decide to use the bus, you can get one that heads towards Paulista Avenue, where the museum is located. The bus numbers that go there are 2101-10, 2171-10, or 407P-10. Alternatively, you can catch the metro to the station Trianon-MASP, which is on the Green Line 2. From the metro station, the museum is just a few minutes walk away. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 am and 6 pm. Therefore, make sure you plan your arrival within these times to visit the museum.
If you are coming from the center of Sao Paulo, the most direct route to the São Paulo Museum of Art would be to start on the Avenida Paulista. You would then head west until you reach the intersection with Rua Augusta. At this point, you would make a right turn and continue south on Rua Augusta until you find the museum on your right side, between Alameda Casa Branca and Avenida Nove de Julho. Be aware that Sao Paulo is known for its traffic, so ensure you allow extra time for any potential delays. Also, take note of the parking instructions provided by the museum as on-street parking can be limited. Always use a GPS navigation system to get accurate directions and real-time traffic updates.