Besides being a stunning and paradisiacal island, Puerto Rico is overflowing with culture, history and art. As an art lover and a museum enthusiast myself, I have visited my fair share of museums in my life. Here are five of them that you can explore in Puerto Rico.
1) Museo de Historia, Antropología y Arte de Río Piedras
This is the first museum of Puerto Rico created in 1951 by bill No. 97, which aimed to convert the “Museo de la Universidad de Puerto Rico” into a national museum. It was designed by German architect Henry Klumb, and has exhibited collections from Don Federico Degetau as well as historical objects and artifacts from historian and professor Rafael W. Ramírez de Arellano. The museum has played a major role in the conservation and dissemination of Puerto Rican heritage.
Amongst its collection, one can find “El Velorio” by Francisco Oller, which was transferred from the Insular Library in Old San Juan to the University in 1915. Since the Río Piedras campus is my alma mater, I often visit this museum when I can to see its wonderful collection and exquisite art.
2) Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR)
Inaugurated on June 30, 2000, this museum consists of 24 exhibition galleries distributed between the historical building. Its inaugural exhibition was “Treasures of Puerto Rican Painting,” resulting from the collaboration of the country’s principal cultural institutions, The Musee d’Orsay, and 50 private collectors. The west wing was designed by the architect William H. Schimmelpfennig in a neoclassical structure. Meanwhile, the east wing was designed by Puerto Rican architects Otto Reyes and Luis Gutierrez, composed of a five-story modern structure. Beside its myriad collection, visitors can access the Raul Julia-Banco Popular Theater, the shop, the restaurant, the gardens, the Conversation Division, storage spaces, acticARTE Gallery and observe the Grand Hall decorated by a stained-glass window created by Puerto Rican artist Eric Tabales, titled “Taino Sun Rising.” You can find art from the 17th century all the way to contemporary works such as “Las hijas del gobernador don Ramón de Castro” by Jose Campeche, “View of San Juan Bay” by Angel Botello-Barros or “Música y danza” by Ralph De Romero.
My fondest memory from this museum is the smell of paint that circulates all over the lobby close to the store. When I was twelve years old, I took painting classes during that summer and whenever I go to visit, the aroma brings me back to my childhood. Besides the amazing paintings, the garden located in the back provides a home to the koi fish pond, which is a relaxing and excellent way to end the tour. Currently, it is housing the famous “Flaming June” for at least until 2024, among other collections as a partnership with MAP.
3) Museo de Arte de Ponce (MAP)
Founded by Luis A. Ferré, the museum brings European art to the island. Ferré began buying for the institution by first establishing The Luis A. Ferré Foundation in 1957. The museum first showcased its art to the public on January 3, 1959, in a colonial house in Ponce. The building, designed by architect Edward Durell Stone in 1959, was inaugurated into a 2010 modern Annex Building. When it first opened, it consisted of a collection of 71 paintings. Nowadays, the number has increased to approximately 4,500 artworks.
The museum houses marvelous Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood artwork. My favorite is “The Legend of Briar Rose” by the artist Edward Burne-Jones that covers an impressively extensive wall. Unfortunately, it’s currently not open and it’s been reconstructed from the damages received by the 2020 earthquakes. However, it is an essential visit when it reopens.
4) Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico (MAC)
Founded by local artists and sponsors, it was instituted on October 8, 1984, as a non-profit organization. The museum’s goal is to promote the understanding and appreciation of contemporary art from a Puerto Rican and Caribbean perspective. The museum is a hybrid institution that carries collections, educational programs and publications and that also serves as an exhibition, conservation, and a dynamic relationship with the field of contemporary art.
The museum building is called Rafael M. Labra, and was built in 1916 as part of a project from Paul G. Miller Commission for the construction of public schools in urban zones. Designed by architect Adrian C. Finlayson, it was inspired by 18th century Gregorian style of England. The museum has a cozy and captivating atmosphere that promotes the arts to future generations.
5) Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Caguana
An archeological site located in Caguana, Utuado and known as “Corrales de los Indios,” the Centro Ceremonial Indigena was first uncovered and explored by American anthropologist John Aiden Mason in 1914. Since then, it has been studied and excavated by archaeologists from Yale University and later by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. It opened to visitors in 1965.
An important Taino landmark that offers a glimpse to the lives of indigenous cultures before the Spanish colonization, the park illustrates the Taino people’s living and religious practices, like the areyto and batu. Its museum contains Taino artifacts, archaeological exhibits, and a small botanical garden with food that used to be harvested by Tainos such as sweet potatoes, cassava, corn, and yautia. I first visited as a high school student, realizing the importance of recovering our history. It was a moment whereupon I could connect with my long-lost ancestors.
Thus concludes our trip around some of the amazing art museums and galleries this island has to offer. There are many more museums and beautiful works of art that can be explored around the island. I suggest going on a drive and exploring the wonderful cultural gems and landmarks our island has to offer. Have safe and happy travels, readers!