One of the leading sources of information when it comes to traveling to Brazil will be your ‘Destination Expert,’ who can give you tips and tricks about the country, but most importantly, if art or museums are your things, they can guide you towards the best local spots. Art has existed in Brazil since way before its colonization by Portugal but dates back to the first inhabitation of the land known as Brazil.
There is so much incredible ancient art to be discovered, but with a thriving art scene, there are also several places to find works of modern art by established and up-and-coming artists. So let us guide you towards a Brazilian cultural experience, with the best places to see art and the best museums to visit.
An overview of Art in Brazil
Brazil is a very colorful country, and many of its cities have incredibly bright neighborhoods and street art to be found, making it such a vibrant country to visit. With that being said, when we think of Brazil, we think of bright colors, and the same goes for the art produced in Brazil, which tends to be bold, beautiful, and above all – energetic. Art comes in many forms in Brazil, and you will find lots of intricate architecture, famous literature, ancient sculptures, rock art, pottery, and modern art. Whatever your interests, you will find it all in Brazil, from the past to the present.
The oldest recorded art in Brazil originates from Serra da Capivara National Park, with cave paintings dating back to 13,000BC, but there is so much more to where this came from. Marajoara pottery, which dates back to around 800-1400AD, and was said to be created by the Marajoara civilization, was also discovered, proving that this Pre Columbia people were ahead of their time. Nevertheless, art has continued and has taken different forms through the ages, so Brazil is such an incredible place to learn more about the topic. Here are some of the best art museums to visit to unearth some history.
THE BEST ART MUSEUMS
The Sao Paolo Museum of Art is an absolute must when in the city, which is famous for what is inside and for what you will see when you first arrive there. The building itself is a work of art and is a renowned landmark of the city. With the main glass body supported by two large beams, you cannot miss this architectural marvel. Inside this museum, which is said to be one of the most important museums in the Southern Hemisphere, you will find over 10,000 pieces of art worldwide, but that all depends if you don’t get too distracted by the beautiful building itself.
This outdoor art area is one of the largest of its kind in Latin America, but as well as this, it is a nice change from the usual indoor art museums and galleries you might have experienced before. Here, you will unearth over 500 works of art created by Brazilian and international artists.
This stunning setting is the perfect backdrop to stroll around the open-air museum, taking in the beautiful exhibitions that make this museum one of the top 25 in the world. It began with the personal art collection of Bernardo Paz, who was a former mining magnate and had initially been a place to store the art for himself. Still, then a few years later, it was open to the public and became a trendy attraction.
Oscar Niemeyer Museum:
Just as the MASP will instantly draw your attention, so will this museum, situated in the city of Curitiba. It is also known as Niemeyer’s Eye or The Eye Museum. You will undoubtedly know why when you see the shape of this unique building, which was named after Oscar Niemeyer, who completed this architectural wonder at the age of 95. The museum itself is a space that focuses on visual arts, urban design, and architecture and houses many of his works in this unusually shaped building, which balances on a 30m (98.4ft) tall structure above a pool. This is a great museum to feast your eyes on.
As the city’s oldest art museum, the Pinacoteca has two floors open to the public, displaying various exhibitions of Brazilian production from the 19th Century to the present day. The first floor is dedicated to the museum’s temporary and ever-changing collections, while the second floor is home to its permanent exhibitions.
THE BEST MUSEUMS
Museum of Tomorrow:
Located in Rio de Janeiro, this interactive and captivating Science Museum has so much to offer the science enthusiast, focusing on five main areas – the Cosmos, Earth, Anthropocene, Tomorrow, and Us, using a variety of exhibitions. Situated in the port area of Rio, this fascinating museum is a great place to take the whole family, with a range of experiments to learn about and an in-depth look at how the science of today will impact and shape the future. The impressive science museum building will also capture your attention from the get-go.
If you travel to Brazil, you cannot miss out on the impressive Coffee Museum, which spills the (coffee) beans about the evolution of coffee production. Brazil is the world’s largest producer of coffee, and if you haven’t tested it yet, you must consider this Coffee Experience and a visit to the museum to learn more. The influence of coffee has shaped and significantly impacted the country and its economy. A visit to this museum gives you a greater understanding of the coffee culture and history of the beans in Brazil.
National Historical Museum:
This national museum features all things historic, with over 300,000 exhibits focusing on Brazil’s history, colonial past, and the most extensive numismatic collection in Latin America. As Brazil’s oldest history museum, located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, it features many historical artifacts and essential paintings, handwritten documents, and photographs in its library.
Football, otherwise known as soccer in some parts of the world, is a big deal in Brazil and is, of course, the most popular sport in the country. The national team has an incredible reputation worldwide for having some of the best footballers and having the most victories in the World Cup. The museum, based in Pacaembu Stadium, Sao Paolo, allows football lovers and enthusiasts to gain more of an insight into the football culture in Brazil, with an exhibition dedicated to the World Cup as well as videos, interviews, and so much more to give you a great perspective of the nation’s favourite sporting pastime.