- Address: Avenida Millan 4015, 11700 Montevideo, Uruguay
- Phone: +598 2336 2248
- Fax: +598 2336 7134
- Website: blanes.montevideo.gub.uy
- Year of foundation: 1930
- Opening hours: Tues-Fri 13:00 - 17:45, Sat-Sun 12:00 - 18:00
- Cost of visit: free of charge
Clamped between two South American giants, Argentina and Brazil, in the past, Uruguay was not very popular with tourists. However, times change, and today the number of travelers annually coming to this sunny country exceeds 3 million people! The most visited city of Uruguay, without a doubt, is Montevideo - the official and cultural capital of the state. Among the many museums located on narrow winding streets, one of the most interesting is the Museum of Fine Arts, which will be discussed later.
Historical facts
The building of the museum was built in 1870 by the Uruguayan engineer and architect Juan Alberto Kapurro. The first owner of the mansion was a doctor of Italian origin Juan Bautista Raffo. Almost 50 years later, the building was acquired by the city authorities, and already in 1930 the opening of the Museum of Fine Arts named after Juan Manuel Blanes, timed to the centenary of the independence of Uruguay, took place at this site. In 1975 the structure was recognized as a national historical monument.
What is interesting about the museum?
The Museum of Fine Arts is a unique example of villas of the late XIX century. Despite the ongoing reconstruction, the overall appearance of the building has remained virtually unchanged since the construction. The main facade of the building is of special interest for tourists: luxurious columns and a 10-step ladder of the most valuable kind of marble, majestic statues and picturesque vases adorn the building and add to it a special charm.
In front of the museum building is the only one in Montevideo, the Japanese Garden, which was donated by Japan to Uruguay in 2001. This place is very popular both with visiting visitors and among local residents.
The very same collection of the museum is represented by the works of both famous and little-known Uruguayan artists. The largest halls are:
- The room of Juan Manuel Blanes , located on the 1st floor. The exposition includes the best works of art of the creator: "The Oath of the Thirty-Three Uruguayans", "The Journal of 1885", "The Captive", etc.
- The Pedro Figari Hall is a permanent exhibition in which most of the artist's works donated by his daughter in 1961 are presented. It includes early works, as well as documents and items from the National School of Arts, where Figari was director for several years.
- European Hall. The collection of the Museum of Fine Arts also includes works by many European artists, including Gustav Courbet, Maurice de Vlaminck, Maurice Utrillo, Raul Dufy, Julio Romero de Torres. A large role in the exhibition is given to the collection of engravings and paintings created in the 16th-20th centuries. (Durer, Rembrandt, Piranesi, Goya, Matisse, Miro and Picasso). The works were acquired in Europe in 1948-1959. and not so long ago restored with the help of the European Union.
Useful information for tourists
You can get to the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts named after Juan Manuel Blanes both on your personal transport by coordinates and by using public transport . You should leave at the bus stop Av Millán, which is located directly opposite the main entrance to the museum.