São Paulo Museum of Art

The São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) is a major art museum on Avenida Paulista in São Paulo, Brazil, founded in the mid-20th century and renowned for both its collection and its modernist building. The museum holds significant European and Brazilian paintings as part of one of the most important art collections in Latin America.

The museum’s key draw is a combination of the collection and the striking Lina Bo Bardi-designed building with a suspended glass-enclosed gallery over a public space. Gallery spaces display European old masters, modern and contemporary Brazilian art and rotating temporary exhibitions, making the museum a focal point for visual arts in São Paulo.

MASP was established by collectors and cultural figures in the 20th century and expanded during the postwar period; the Avenida Paulista building opened in 1968 and quickly became notable as both an exhibition space and an urban landmark. Over time the museum has continued to grow its collection and host international exhibitions while remaining an active cultural institution in the city.

Located on Avenida Paulista in central São Paulo, the museum sits within the city’s main cultural and financial axis and is easily reached by public transport from other central neighbourhoods.

• Architecture: The building's suspended, transparent gallery creates a covered public plaza at street level on Avenida Paulista and is an architectural icon of São Paulo.

What to See #

• Main building (Lina Bo Bardi design): Glass and concrete building raised above ground level on four concrete supports, designed by Lina Bo Bardi and opened in its current Avenida Paulista form in 1968.
• Permanent collection: Permanent collection of European, Brazilian and other international art spanning old masters to modern and contemporary works, displayed in multiple galleries on the main floor and basement levels.