In Recoleta, the Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo occupies the former Errázuriz-Alvear residence, a French neoclassical mansion built between 1911 and 1916. The rooms are part of the visit: look for the wood-paneled Regency ballroom, the red-and-black-marble dining room and the tall Renaissance-style hall. Inside, period furniture, porcelain, silver, paintings and other decorative arts show the tastes of Buenos Aires’ early 20th-century elite. Entry is free, and the garden and Croque Madame café make it easy to extend your stop.
A residence turned museum
The museum occupies the former home of Matías Errázuriz Ortúzar and Josefina de Alvear, a wealthy couple connected to Argentina’s aristocracy. French architect René Sergent designed the mansion, which was built between 1911 and 1916. Its French neoclassical exterior and formal rooms reflect the family’s standing and the wealth accumulated by Argentina’s ranch-owning and commercial classes around the turn of the 20th century.
The house became the Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo in 1937, after Errázuriz donated it to the state. The collection and the rooms belong together: you can see works of art and furnishings in a setting that was once a private residence. The building also incorporated modern conveniences for its time, including central heating, two elevators and a centralized system for removing dust.
Rooms to look for
Move through the mansion at a measured pace and notice how the rooms change in character. The Regency ballroom has ornate wooden panels. In the Louis XIV-style dining room, red and black marble draws the eye; elsewhere, a high-ceilinged hall takes its cues from Renaissance architecture. The interiors include carved details, furnishings, chandeliers, portraits and tapestries, with English descriptions that explain features of the rooms and offer details about the family who lived there.
The collection ranges from period furniture and porcelain to silver, ceramics, textiles and glassware. Works by El Greco, Manet and Rodin are among the named highlights. Chinese art and miniatures associated with Imperial Russia are also represented. The displays can include contemporary works at certain times, so the mix of art changes beyond the historic rooms and objects.
Planning your visit
The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 pm to 7 pm and closed Monday and Tuesday. A free guided tour at 4 pm provides added context for the collection. Admission is free, with donations voluntary. If you want to explore the rooms independently, the English descriptions provide background on both the furnishings and the mansion’s original occupants.
Allow time to look at the exterior and garden as well as the interiors. Croque Madame, the museum café, is on site and serves classic French comfort food. The museum is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible entrance, elevator and restroom.
Perguntas frequentes
Is admission to the Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo free?
Yes. Admission is free, and donations are voluntary.
When is the museum open?
It is open Wednesday through Sunday, 1 pm to 7 pm, and closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Are there guided tours?
A free guided tour is available at 4 pm.
What can you see inside the museum?
The mansion’s period rooms display decorative arts and furnishings, alongside paintings and sculpture. Named works include pieces by El Greco, Manet and Rodin.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes. It has an accessible entrance, elevator and restroom.
