Nacional Museo de Bellas Artes (MNBA)
The last of my 4-part Buenos Aires Art Museum review series. (There are more than 4, btw, but I have so much more to talk about, like the scintillating Street Art...)
Bellas Artes, aka Fine Arts. The granddaddy of all 4 art museums. It's finer than a fine wine. Magnificent. Grand. Reminiscent of the Washington DC National Gallery of Art. Like a second cousin once removed.
Fernanda's Fave: William Adolphe Bougeureau, The First Mourning, 1888
This museum features the best of the best. Both Latino Americano artists, and classic artists. I've already mentioned some of my favorite Latino Americano greats in my 3 prior posts, but Bellas Artes has all of them and more: Jorge Macchi, Julio LeParc, Edgar Degas, Antonio Berni, Alejandro Xul Solar, Emilio Pettoruti, and Leon Ferrari, to name a few.
Emilio Pettoruti
The classic list is muy impresionante: Van Gogh, Goya, Monet, Manet, Rousseau, Gauguin, Kandisnky, Modigliani, Pollack, etc.
Amadeo Modigliani
Each chamber is breathtaking. The deep, rich wall colors complement the chosen works perfectly. Everything moves in harmony. I’m no curator, but I feel major kudos are due to the master who assembled this temple. Fernanda, do you agree?
Oh, Macchi, you had me at hello.
FINAL REVIEW
Ok, 4 museums in 2 days. At that rate, it's easy to get fine art fatigue and tune out of your senses. Art requires full attention. But, each of the museums offered a unique experience, allowing us to re-calibrate and re-focus.
If I had to pick one to return to, it would probably be MALBA. But, that may be because I fell in love with Jorge Macchi. And, the Latinoamericano art vibe is so vibrant and fresh for my North American palette.
But, Menesunda at MAMBA is a one-of-a-kind attraction that I'll never forget. Disney could borrow some of these installation concepts for future theme park attractions.
MACBA tickled my minimalistic mentality in a way that only architecture can. Brehm, you would love this.
And, of course, Bellas Artes is easily the best overall experience, offering a bit of everything for all art aficionados.
If you've got only one day in BA, I'd probably say go to MALBA. But, you'll so close to Bellas Artes, that you might as well make it a twofer.