El Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo
About
El Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo is housed in the former home of the wealthy Alvear family. The building's origins can be traced back to Josefina de Alvear and her husband Matías Errazúriz Ortúzar. The couple lived in France between 1906 and 1916, where they met many artists and acquired an admirable collection of works. Before returning to Argentina, the couple commissioned French architect René Sergent to build a mansion. The building was completed in 1916, and Josefina and Matías decorated every room with the art they had acquired from around the world.
The house became a museum in 1937 and has been preserved much as it was left. Today, visitors can appreciate all the fine and decorative works of art collected by Josefina and Matías in each room of the building. On display are paintings from the 14th to the 20th centuries, as well as sculptures, tapestries, porcelains, and various styles of furniture. The museum also hosts many temporary exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing both local and international works.
Why visit El Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo?
El Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo stands as a testament to the rich and elegant culture Buenos Aires has to offer. It has a huge collection, and if you appreciate fine art, you won't be disappointed. Everything has a story, from the paintings to the furniture. Taking a guided tour of the museum is a great way to understand its history and learn more about the paintings and furnishings.
El Museo de Nacional de Arte Decorativo is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 1:00pm to 7 p.m. It is free to enter and guided tours are available. You can check the museums website for more detailed information about planning a visit and whats on.
The museum also has a small gift shop. Outside, in the courtyard, is a coffee shop housed in the former guardhouse, with places to sit outside. It makes a lovely place to relax on a fine day.
The museum is within a 10-15 minute walking radius of other popular Art Museums, such as Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, MALBA (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires), as well as the impressive Floralis Generica sculpture.
Did you know?
When the Alvear family lived in the building, the ratio was five servants to every family member. The family hosted many lavish dinner parties and invited many well-known public figures, including Eva Perón.
If you're interested in more popular places to visit in Buenos Aires, take a look at our Best Attractions in Buenos Aires.
How to get to El Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo:
Subway:
The nearest station is Las Heras on Linea H (the yellow-colored line). It’s approximately a 10-15 minute walk from there to the Museum.
Bus:
Routes 10, 21, 37, 38, 41, 59, 60, 67, 92, 93, 95, 102, 110, 118, and 130 pass close by.
To find out more about using public transport in Buenos Aires, including details on buses, subways, trains, taxis, ride-sharing services, and how to obtain and use the SUBE card, visit the Best Way to Get Around Buenos Aires section.
Address:
Avenida del Libertador 1902
