National Art Museum — Attraction in Mexico City

After multiple visits, it’s still one of my favorite art museums in the world, and I’m happy to give it five stars. The collection is beyond superb and spans the entire history of Mexican painting from colonial to modern times. The paintings are nothing less than fantastic and are on par with the best of American Art and European art in many categories. Exceeding in some.

The building itself is a magnificent work of art. The halls are well air conditioned which was wonderful.

I read one ridiculous review on here from a foreigner who says there were no paintings by well-known artists, which is an absurd statement. This museum houses paintings by all of the best known artists in Mexican history and if you don’t know about them, it’s your fault not theirs. They are Velasco, Dr. Atl, Goitia, Diego Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros and many more. The ONLY artist they don’t have major works by is Frida Kahlo. Those are in the Dolores olmedo museum which is closed since the pandemic or the one big one in the museum of modern art (also excellent but much smaller and mostly rotating exhibitions whereas this is mostly permanent). This museum is truly a greatest hits of Mexican art—hands down!

The staff were universally amazing. From the information desk, to the security guards, to the wonderful tour guide (Spanish only).

No food or drink allowed inside, but I’m pretty sure they will let you come and go the same day if you have a ticket that is intact. And the restaurant right next-door is actually pretty darn good.

The only thing I would love to see different is an English audio guide or even a map in English with info about the paintings. Or even a good website (with good WiFi in the museum) which has details about the major works of art here that you can look up by name or number. Some way for foreign visitors to know more about the art they are looking at and gaining a deeper knowledge of this fantastic country and its artistic heritage.

Even for Spanish language speakers, it’s difficult to know much about the paintings unless you take one of the guided tours, because there is a very little information posted about the works. A good guidebook available in the gift shop with a few walking tour options and details about the works would be awesome. Complemented by a good website that has detailed information about all the important pieces, and then this museum goes from fantastic to beyond fantastic!

:)

Oh yeah, and don’t go on a Sunday! That’s when it’s free and it’s too crowded. Other days are blissfully uncrowded and they...

This is a wonderful museum in a stunning building with ornate exterior and interior architecture. Exhibits range across time periods and painting styles. The museum collection specializes in the history of Mexican art, with occasional international art as well.

The large plaza in the front of the neoclassical building is the current home of the equestrian statue of Charles IV of Spain, by Tolsá (his museum is across the street). One can tell when "manifestaciones" and street protests are coming depending on the presence of barricades around the statue.

The divided stairway to the upper floors is magnificent. The rooms on the ground floor to the left often feature 20th century artists. It can be a little challenging to follow the expected flow pattern upstairs as floor arrows and signs indicating the direction one should walk from exhibit room to exhibit room are often confusing or currently inaccurate. There are 2 sets of elevators to assist visitors with limited mobility to access the upper floors, and the staff are helpful in pointing visitors in the right direction for different special exhibits.

In November 2023, but ending December 3, the museum has an exhibit of the paintings of Rodrigo Pimentel, a 20th century artist from Michoacán. I was unfamiliar with his work and didn't expect to like it as I often find more contemporary paintings off-putting and cold, but his colorful and intense interpretations of masks and nature are striking. I ended up purchasing the exhibit book in the main attractive museum gift shop.

There several rooms with a number of larger 19th century landscapes by Jose María Velasco, a favorite, as well as other historical landscape artists. They're a good antidote to the usual chaos of the city.

Check online for current exhibits. There's a 5 peso charge, in addition to the entry fee, to take photos. One receives a folded paper "ring" to wear for the security guards to see that you have paid the photo fee.

If you enjoy Mexican art, plan to spend hours, if not several...

Gorgous Place, stunning, in fact. Would recommend based on the beauty of the building. Kinda thing you see on instagram. Loved it. There is so much to capture, magical and historical. truly awesome

Now, negatives and why I'm leaving 2 stars

You have to pay to take photos and video, which is silly in itself to pay to promote them basically. as these photos go to Instagram and many platforms that promote tourism /visitors.

This in itself didn't affect my reveiw as I knew this in advance but still.

Comfort, Security, Payment

We paid with the impression that we could do the photos and videos. One of the main reasons I came here was that I was inspired by another Instagram page that does this.

Later, as I was recording, some weird security guy was creeping behind me, watching my phone, and giving us issues, saying that the paper around my finger was only for photos.

we explained to him we were not told that downstairs and paid for both. That video is literally just several photos at a time anyways. so rather than getting in a dumb argument, We just said, "Sure," finally and just ignored him and recorded anyways

this pays into the other reveiws I saw as well, all security stares at you like a criminal and stares at what your doing on your phone. very uncomfortable feeling. no privacy

saw them yell at a guy taking photo next to art and guy wasn't even that close to it as well.

in fact only some of the art has a tape on the floor in front of it, (for boundry) and most doesn't which is is silly. (should be in front of all art) if there was one he would have been behind it with where he was.

5 star place with a negative three, in security, communication, comfort.

Won't post my photos and edited videos for...