National Museum of Decorative Arts Buenos Aires
The National Museum of Decorative Arts is the most beautiful museum in Buenos Aires. The building itself is worth the visit. Before being donated to the National Government along with all its works of art, this was the private residence of a very wealthy Argentinean family, the Errázuriz-Alvear. The building was designed by French architect Rene Sergent, the same architect who built the Trianon Palace Hotel in Versailles and the private residence of Count Nissim de Camondo, in Paris.
All the materials, like wood panelings, mirrors, moldings, were brought from Europe. The rooms in the main floor were decorated in different French styles from the XVII and XVIII century, except for the Grand Hall, inspired in the large rooms typical of XVI century England in the time of the Tudor dynasty.
In the apartments of the first floor we can also see the taste for French decoration in Louis XV, Louis XVI, Directory and Imperium style. The only exception is the Art Decó room decorated by Catalonian artist José MarÃa Sert.
The Dining Room and the Ball Room are copies in a smaller scale of similar rooms at the Versailles Palace.
The permanent collection of the museum includes more tan 4000 objects, from roman sculptures to contemporary hand made silver creations. The biggest interest in the collection is focused on the European and Oriental decorative pieces, sculptures and paintings from the XVI to XIX century, many of which belonged to the Errázuriz-Alvear family.
There are also temporary exhibitions throughout the year, focused mainly in decorative arts, fashion, tapestry, jewelry, and small objects.
There is a beautiful small caffe-restaurant in the courtyard with a lovely atmosphere.
Location: Av. del Libertador 1902
Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday, 1.00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Mondays and Tuesdays closed.
Guided visits: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, at 4:00 pm, without previous reservation.
Entrance to the Museum is FREE every day.
For more information on present and future exhibitions, visit National Museum of Decorative Arts official website.
Entrance to the Museum is FREE every day.
For more information on present and future exhibitions, visit National Museum of Decorative Arts official website.
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