Introduction The Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (INBA) is a prominent cultural center in Mexico City, hosting performing arts events, literature events and plastic arts galleries and exhibitions. The museum has been called the "art cathedral of Mexico" and is located on the western side of the historic center of Mexico City which is close to the Alameda Central park.
The Museum Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (Mexico)
Introduction
The Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (INBA) is a prominent cultural center in Mexico City, hosting performing arts events, literature events and plastic arts galleries and exhibitions. The museum has been called the "art cathedral of Mexico" and is located on the western side of the historic center of Mexico City which is close to the Alameda Central park.
History
The INBA replaced the original National Theater, built in the late 19th century. The latter was demolished as part of urban redesign in Mexico City, and a more opulent building was planned to celebrate the centennial of the Mexican War of Independence in 1910. The initial design and construction was undertaken by Italian architect Adamo Boari in 1904, but complications arising from the soft subsoil and the political problem both before and during the Mexican Revolution, hindered then stopped construction completely by 1913. Construction resumed in 1932 under Mexican architect Federico Mariscal and was completed in 1934. It was then inaugurated on November 29, 1934.
Architecture
The exterior of the building is primarily Art Nouveau and Neoclassical and the interior is primarily Art Deco. The building is best known for its murals by González Camarena, Diego Rivera, Siqueiros and others, as well as the many exhibitions and theatrical performances it hosts, including the Ballet Folklórico de México.
Collections
The INBA has a rich collection of over 20,000 objects, including 8,000 Pre-Columbian works. Some notable paintings in the collection include:
This painting is a masterpiece of Mexican landscape art, depicting the two volcanoes that dominate the valley of Mexico. The painting is 45 x 60 cm in size and was painted using oil on canvas. It is currently housed in the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (Mexico).
This painting depicts a traditional Hopi snake dance, a religious ceremony in which participants handle snakes. The painting is 20 x 25 cm in size and was painted using oil on canvas. It is currently housed in the Museum of New Mexico (United States).
This painting is a black and white photograph of Villahermosa, Mexico. It was taken using a camera and printed on paper. The size of the print is 20 x 25 cm and it is currently housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum (United States).
Conclusion
The Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (INBA) is a cultural center in Mexico City that hosts performing arts events, literature events and plastic arts galleries and exhibitions. The museum has been called the "art cathedral of Mexico" and is located on the western side of the historic center of Mexico City which is close to the Alameda Central park. The INBA replaced the original National Theater, built in the late 19th century and was completed in 1934. The exterior of the building is primarily Art Nouveau and Neoclassical and the interior is primarily Art Deco. The museum has a rich collection of over 20,000 objects, including 8,000 Pre-Columbian works. Some notable paintings in the collection include "El Popocatépetl y el Iztaccíhuatl" by José María Velasco and "Hopi Snake Dance" by Frank Applegate.