The Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao, on Museo Plaza beside Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park, brings Basque, Spanish and European art together in a collection spanning the Middle Ages to the present. Look for works by El Greco, Goya, Gauguin and Francis Bacon, alongside Basque artists such as Eduardo Chillida and Ignacio Zuloaga. The museum pairs a classical stone building with modern extensions, and its changing exhibitions give you another reason to visit. Check what is currently on display if you have time for just a short stop.
A collection from the Middle Ages to today
The museum’s holdings cover painting, sculpture, works on paper and applied arts, with works dating from the 12th century to the present. Its collection brings together European, Spanish and Basque art, so you can move between historical works and more recent pieces in one visit.
Among the artists represented are El Greco, Francisco de Goya, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Anthony van Dyck, Paul Gauguin and Francis Bacon. Basque art has a particularly strong place here, with artists including Ignacio Zuloaga, Jorge Oteiza and Eduardo Chillida. The collection also includes works by Adolfo Guiard, Darío de Regoyos, Francisco Iturrino and Aurelio Arteta.
Paintings and artists to look for
The collection includes El Greco’s The Annunciation, Goya’s Portrait of Martín Zapater and Gauguin’s Washerwomen in Arles. Other works named among its notable pieces include Murillo’s Saint Peter in Tears and Orazio Gentileschi’s Lot and His Daughters. These give you a route through Spanish and European painting without overlooking the museum’s modern and contemporary holdings.
If you want to focus your visit, choose a few artists or periods before you arrive. The collection ranges widely, and temporary exhibitions add a changing element. Exhibition details can help you decide whether to spend your time with a particular display or explore the permanent collection.
How the museum took shape
The museum’s history began with the Fine Arts Museum, founded in 1908 and opened to the public in 1914. A separate Museum of Modern Art opened in 1924. The two institutions and their collections were brought together in 1945, forming the museum visitors see today.
Its buildings also bring together different periods. The classical stone structure stands beside modern extensions, creating a contrast between the historic setting and the contemporary spaces. During renovation periods, only part of the museum may be open, so check the current visitor information before you go.
FAQ
What kind of art is in the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao?
The collection includes Basque, Spanish and European art, from the Middle Ages to the present. It covers painting, sculpture, works on paper and applied arts.
Which artists can you see at the museum?
The collection includes works by El Greco, Goya, Murillo, Gauguin and Francis Bacon. Basque artists represented include Eduardo Chillida, Jorge Oteiza and Ignacio Zuloaga.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and restroom.
When is the museum open?
The listed hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM, and Sunday, 10 AM to 3 PM. Check the museum website before visiting, particularly during renovation periods.
