Although the Museu da Independência is São Paulo’s first public museum, opened in 1895, it is considered a history museum. It is responsible for portraying Brazil’s journey from monarchy to democracy. The Pinacoteca, on the other hand, holds the title of oldest art museum in the capital, as its collection brings together essential Brazilian visual arts productions. Learn about its history below!
What is the history of the Pinacoteca de São Paulo?
The Pinacoteca de São Paulo is located in the city center, close to the estação da Luz. The building, constructed in 1900, had Ramos de Azevedo and Domiziano Rossi as architects and was initially going to be the headquarters of the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, but ended up becoming a museum.
The Pinacoteca stands out for its architecture that blends the past with the present. To this day, the building still retains the striking elements of its beginnings, and has mixed in the modern architecture needed to expand the space.
About the Pinacoteca collection
The Pinacoteca houses one of the largest art collections in the country with more than ten thousand, most of which are Brazilian paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. Its collection features works by renowned names from our history, such as Almeida Júnior, Pedro Alexandrino, Antônio Parreiras and Oscar Pereira da Silva, as well as Cândido Portinari, Anita Malfatti, Victor Brecheret and Di Cavalcanti.
One of his most famous paintings, for example, is Tarsila do Amaral’s “Antropofagia“.
Meet all the Pina buildings
It has three buildings open to the public. Firstly, the Pinacoteca Luz, the former headquarters of the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, which houses the collection mentioned above. And then the Pinacoteca Estação and Pinacoteca Contemporânea.
Inaugurated in 2004, the Pina Estação originally housed the warehouses and offices of the Sorocabana Railroad. Today, it houses a café, Pinacoteca offices and temporary exhibitions. In addition, the Memorial da Resistência de São Paulo is in the same building, preserving the memories of political resistance and repression in the state of São Paulo.
The Pina Contemporânea is the youngest, having only opened in 2023. In addition to two galleries with exhibitions, the space has studios for educational activities and the Visual Arts Library. It also has a large public square that hosts a series of cultural activities.
Are you curious to see the Pinacoteca’s three buildings? All you have to do is secure your ticket at the ticket office or via the museum’s website. They cost from R$15 (half-price) and give access to all three buildings.
📍 Luz: Praça da Luz, 2 | Estação: Largo General Osório, 66 | Contemporânea: Avenida Tiradentes, 273
