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The National Art Museum is located in the
building formerly known as the
Communications Palace, which was built
between 1905 and 1911 by the Italian
architect Silvio Contri. This building,
through its calling and monumentality,
should reflect the strength of the Porfirian
Regime for which it was built. The
construction is of historicist eclectic
style, the usual in that time, highlighting
the influence of the renaissance style in
the lower levels. The upper levels were
decorated with columns and neoclassical
elements which harmonize with the slightly
more austere lines of the neighboring Mining
Palace. The building was also put back so as
to leave a public space in front, which
would allow the other important buildings
surrounding it to stand out, it is known
today as Tolsá Plaza. In the interior, the
grandeur of its entrance hall stands out;
it’s composed of several Corinthian columns,
iron staircases and a ceiling with a
beautiful allegorical painting which
represents peace.
The National Art Museum, houses a rich
collection of Mexican art ranging from the
16th to the first half of the 20th
Centuries. A large part of the works used to
belong to the Academy of San Carlos but were
later distributed (according to their theme)
among this museum, the National Museum of
San Carlos and the Vice-royal Picture
Gallery for their better conservation. Among
the works in the National Art Museum, there
are paintings by Juan Correa, Miguel
Cabrera, Eugenio Landesio and the largest
collection of paintings by the outstanding
Mexican landscaper, Jose María Velasco,
among others.
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