An expanding collection (1900-1980). New acquisitions | National Museum of Fine Arts
Exhibitions
This exhibition will showcase 18 of the 55 works acquired by the National Museum of Fine Arts in 2025. These important works, primarily by domestic artists, will help the museum strengthen and expand its thematic and historical narratives. These new works encompass a variety of art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and textiles, representing different artists and periods. They enrich the museum's cultural heritage and open new possibilities for research, curation, and public engagement, contributing to a broader and deeper understanding of art history. Because these works are primarily by Chilean artists or artists residing in Chile, we are able to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the local art creation process. The exhibited works include six paintings that were previously displayed at the Club de la Unión, including a portrait painted in Europe by Alfredo Valenzuela Puelma, and three paintings that participated in the 1910 International Centennial Exposition. Also on display is Alfredo Helsby's painting "Houses of Valparaíso" (Caseríos de Valparaíso), created around 1911. This painting presents the development of the port city from a social perspective, enriching the artist's previous visual style, which was characterized by depicting uninhabited natural landscapes. The works of some female artists stand out in particular: Ana Cortés's Portrait of Mathilde Pérez (winner of the 1994 National Art Prize); textile artist Esther Chacón's Mother Earth (1981), whose work crosses and intertwines the boundaries between textiles, painting, and sculpture; Carmen Piedmont's Sprout Quartet (1971), which offers insight into her rich artistic legacy; and Brazilian photographer Inés Paulino's iconic Self-Portrait series (1981), a landmark work depicting numerous figures associated with the cultural, intellectual, and artistic life of the 1980s. Also on display are Laura Rodig's sculpture *Indigenous Woman* (1924-1929), Alicia Villareal's *Transfer Project* (1981), and Josephine Giulisasti's large-scale painting *Darwin Mountains* (2020), connecting them to a contemporary perspective. The 55 new additions to the collection by 2025 were formally incorporated into the museum's holdings through the efforts of a committee of museum experts. These new additions stem from a research effort aimed at identifying historical gaps and omissions; the National Museum of Fine Arts (MNBA) continues its data collection work to fill these gaps. Furthermore, the selected works reflect the museum's commitment to nurturing young artists representing a decentralized perspective and continue its focus on gender equality.