The Museum of Fine Arts of Havana also known as Museo
Nacional de Bellas Artes De La Habana is a museum that shows art collections
from colonial times up to contemporary generations. Founded on February 23,1913
it has only gained global acclaim since 2001 when it was rebirthed. In 2001 the
international collection was installed in the former Centro Asturiano. The
building was built in 1927 in a Spanish renaissance style. Marble from Spain,
Italy and the United States were used during the reconstruction. Cedar and
mahogany from Cuba were used for all the wood detail. The building is a work of
art itself with its wall- sized murals and great staircase.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes De La Habana is separated
into two buildings one houses Placio de Bellas Artes which is a main attraction
of the museum that holds only artwork created by Cubans. The other building
which is the Palacio de Centro Asturiano holds artwork from the rest of the
world. There are more then 700 pieces in the Spanish collection making it one
of the richest collections in the world. The museum is divided into eight
sections including work from all around the world. Artwork from France, Spain,
Italy, Holland, Great Britain, Asia, the United States, Flanders, Latin
American and Germany are on display in the museum.
Famous painter Canaletto sliced a long landscape he
painted and sold both halves separately in the mid-eighteenth century. Half of
the painting hangs in the Museo de Bellas Artes. Each floor has a unique theme religion,
landscape and custom scene of everyday life are just a few you will see. Lahabana.com
recommends “English and Italian galleries; in
the latter hangs perhaps our favourite painting in the entire collection: a
fabulous swagger portrait of the Marquesa de Pinar del Río in a drop—waisted
flapper dress, with a huge fan and an even huger sense of style”. Living
in New England I am a huge fan of the fine arts museums we have around here. I am
excited that we get to visit the museum of fine arts on our second day in Cuba.
To attending the individual buildings, it is CUC 5 or to
do both it cost CUC 8. The hours are 10am-6pm Tues-Sat and 10am-2pm Sun.
Some
questions I have for the class:
-
Is there one artist in particular you are excited
to see in the museum? If so, Who?
-
Are you surprised that the fine arts museum has
art from American artist?
-
Is there another museum you are interested in
going to while we are there?
Hi Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI looked up more photos of the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and you're right, the building is a piece of artwork all on its own! To answer your questions, I don't think there is one particular artist I am interested in seeing at the museum, but I am excited to see the Cubismo and Surrealismo styles! In high school, I learned a lot of Hispanic art and became very fascinated with Salvador Dali, and although he's not in this museum, I am eager to look at the work of other surrealist artist. I did see that one of Diego Rivera's pieces will be in the museum, so I'm super excited to see his artwork! I love Frida Kahlo, and even though her work isn't in the museum it would be very cool to see her "husband's". Also, I am slightly surprised to see that American art is in the museum, but over the years, I've kind of gotten the sense that historical art is more neutral than current street art, so I'm not that surprised.
Hey Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to see this museum too! I'm interested in seeing the variety of works from all over the world- I really like Italian painting so those will be interesting to see. Of Cuban painters however, I most want to see the works of Wifredo Lam. I think that his passion for his culture is beautiful. For my topic I researched the Wifredo Lam Contemporary Art Center so I would really like to check that out during our trip- it also has a lot of art exhibited, including prize-winning works from the Art Biennials. I think it is rather interesting that American art is housed here, but the more I think of it, the more it makes sense that a museum would be a place where learning of art triumphs over political ties.
Natalie, I am fascinated by some of the artwork displayed in the exhibits! I’ve always been into fine art, but never really explored it until this past summer when I visited the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston. I really love portraits, as they can tell a lot about the person of subject and of the artist. I’m looking forward to seeing some portraits in the Cuban side of the museum, since I’ve seen a lot of different styles from other places in the world. As for the idea of American art being exhibited in the museum, I agree with Ingrid on the idea that fine art is most likely not as political, making it more accepted amongst government officials and immigration services. I am looking forward to Casa de Africa museum, as they have some real pieces of African art and pieces from Fidel Castro’s family that I am looking forward to seeing.
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit here! The building by itself is stunning! Cubans study all sorts of art, and college students and professionals often go abroad, so it doesn’t shock me that there are American paintings. They are definitely more modest and not political, though. I’m looking forward to visiting multiple art centers, including Muraleando, which I did my research on.
ReplyDeleteHey Natalie, I can't wait to visit Fusterlandia, I am just amused but the way each art work is done. Fuster was struck with a desire to recreate something like Gaudi’s public works in Barcelona and across Romania in his own homeland. He wanted to put his artistic reality into his real-world surroundings, and he began in his own neighborhood. His artwork demonstrates a lot of time, patience and dedication. I can't wait to visit and see each image. His artwork coats the neighborhood in a rainbow of strange, enchanting fantasy.
ReplyDelete