Salvadoran Art Museum. The Art Museum of El Salvador, known as MARTE, is a nonprofit cultural institution highlighting vibrant artistic items through its semi-permanent, temporary, and small exhibitions of local and international art.
Located in the capital city of San Salvador, the art museum offers diverse exhibitions of national and foreign artists in addition to its educational, community, and public programs. MARTE is a must-visit destination for art lovers.
Since opening in 2003, the MARTE Art Museum has showcased Salvadoran art from its own collection, as well as from private and loaned collections.
The MARTE collection is mainly made up of creations by Salvadoran artists. These artworks have become part of the museum’s collection through donations.
The museum’s mission has been to contribute to the educational and cultural development of the country through the conservation and dissemination of artistic heritage.
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MARTE Museum Exhibitions
The museum features semi-permanent exhibitions, updated every few years, along with temporary and smaller exhibitions that run for a few months. These displays provide insights into both Salvadoran and international art.
The current semi-permanent exhibition, “Trópico Telúrico,” launched in May 2023 and is set to conclude in December 2026.
MARTE Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions that typically run for several months. These exhibitions provide visitors with contemporary art displays highlighting local and international talent.
Lastly, there are smaller exhibitions that run for a few months and are categorized by particular themes or dedicated to a specific artist.
MARTE’S exhibitions are complemented by an educational program that includes guided tours aimed mainly at students from the country’s public schools.
Over its existence, the museum has developed and worked on projects with prestigious international organizations, such as the Soumaya Museum of Mexico, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design of Costa Rica, and the ICO Foundation in Spain.
The Museum’s Installations
The building that houses the Museum of Art of El Salvador was inaugurated on May 22, 2003. Designed by architect Salvador Choussy, it spans 2,968 square meters and includes both exhibition galleries and administrative offices.
This museum is part of a complex that includes the Monument to the Revolution and the Monument to the Constitution, also known as the Freedom Monument.
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Monument to the Revolution
The Monument to the Revolution is an architectural, artistic complex built in the 1950s and includes a mural and a monumental sculpture. It was designed by architects Oscar Reyes and Kurt Schulze.
The mural is a stone mosaic representing freedom, which is portrayed by a naked man, “popularly known as El Chulón in El Salvador,” looking up with his arms raised.
The stones that make up the mosaic are of natural colors and were collected throughout the Salvadoran territory.
The Monument to the Revolution monument was inaugurated by President Colonel Óscar Osorio in December 1955.
Monument to the Constitution or Freedom Monument
The Monument to the Constitution, or the Monument to Freedom, is a sculpture carved directly in stone. The monument is composed of nine figures.
The nine different sculptures blended into one include a worker, a mother holding her child in her arms, a girl, and two female figures. One of the female figures is partially covered by a soldier holding his rifle pointed downward in a peaceful gesture.
The eighth figure, positioned at the back of the monument, depicts a woman holding the 1950 Constitution.
The ninth figure, supported by the other eight, is a naked woman covered with the flag of El Salvador, which crowns the sculpture.
MARTE Museum of Arts in El Salvador
The Marte Art Museum is one of the main cultural attractions in the nation’s capital and one of the best museums in El Salvador.
Its diverse collections and exhibitions foster an appreciation for Salvadoran and international art, making it an essential destination for art enthusiasts.
