At Laprida 1212 in Buenos Aires, the Xul Solar Museum brings together the art and ideas of Argentine painter, sculptor and inventor Xul Solar. His compact, colourful works draw on astrology and esoteric subjects, with strange creatures and imagined worlds to look for up close. The house is part of the visit: its unusual rooms and stairway reflect the artist’s imagination. Go for the paintings, the architecture or a guided tour that adds context to both.
Xul Solar’s art and ideas
The museum is devoted to Argentine artist Xul Solar, born Oscar Agustín Alejandro Schulz Solari. He worked across painting, sculpture, writing, music and invention, and developed a visual world filled with symbolic, otherworldly imagery. Astrology and esoteric ideas appear in the work, alongside imagined places, unusual creatures and bold colour.
Many of the paintings are small, so take time to look closely. Their scenes can initially resemble storybook illustrations, but symbols and strange details point toward more complex ideas. Solar’s work also includes sculptures, documents and personal objects. His tarot cards and inventions give a wider view of an artist whose interests went well beyond painting.
A house shaped by its owner
The museum occupies the house where Solar lived for many years with his wife. He rented out the two apartments below their home while saving toward the museum he wanted to create. The building was later adapted in line with architectural ideas he had left behind, making the rooms part of the collection’s story.
Look out for the house’s unusual spaces and its stairway that leads nowhere. A sectional model helps explain the layout. These details give the building an imaginative character of its own, rather than leaving it as a neutral setting for the artworks.
A wider view of Solar’s practice
Solar’s creativity extended to language and music as well as visual art. He invented imaginary languages and altered musical instruments, including a piano fitted with an additional row of keys. The museum displays examples of his games and inventions alongside paintings and objects, connecting the work on the walls to experiments in other fields.
The collection also includes Solar’s personal library, described as containing more than 3,500 volumes, as well as letters and belongings. Jorge Luis Borges, Solar’s friend, drew inspiration from the artist and his work. A guided tour can help place these varied parts of Solar’s practice in context. Explanatory material in English is limited, so Spanish-language interpretation may be useful if you want more detail.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is the Xul Solar Museum?
It is at Laprida 1212 in Buenos Aires.
What can you see at the museum?
The collection includes Xul Solar’s paintings, sculptures, tarot cards, documents, personal objects, library and inventions. The house itself has unusual architectural details.
Are guided tours available?
Yes. Guided tours are available and can provide more context about Solar’s art and life.
Is there information in English?
English explanatory text is limited. Spanish-language knowledge can help you get more from the displays.
