You have to queue for about three hours to see it. Small and behind glass, Mona Lisathe most famous painting in the world, sleeps in the Louvre Museum and is admired daily by thousands of visitors. In the last few days, he was back in the news because a man in disguise threw a cake at him. It did not happen to majors, but putting the work in the spotlight allows you to play with the comparison: what are theas works that, in ArgentinaThey arouse similar interest. Those iconic paintings and monuments in front of which everyone wants to stand, at least once in their life. A panel of art experts helped NOTICIAS put together the list.
in private collection
The first names that appear refer to works that belong to the MALBA collection, today the busiest museum in the country. According to the communication area of the institution, “Abaporu” (1928), by Tarsila do Amaral, is visited by Brazilians almost on pilgrimage, in search of seeing in person the most emblematic work of modernism. “It is an essential work, all Brazilians know it because it is even in school manuals”, illustrates Daniela de la Rez, a graduate in Art History. The anecdote tells that Eduardo Constantini He bought it at an auction when all of Brazil took it for granted that they would win it. And they kept the party on hold. “It’s a pain in the heart, that’s why they borrowed it when it was the World Cup in Rio, and Dilma Roussef sent the presidential plane to transfer it,” illustrates de la Rez. Coveted ever since, Costantini has received multiple offers to sell it, but she always refuses. “It is said that the last one was 60 million dollars,” says the expert.
Also at MALBA, the “Self-portrait with monkey and parrot” (1942), by Frida Kahlo arouses attention and selfies. “It is the only painting of Frida that is exposed, available for her visit, as part of a permanent collection,” they point out from the museum. This may change if Costantini decides to also exhibit “Diego y yo”, the work of the Mexican artist that she bought last November at a Sotheby’s auction for US$34.8 million.
With respect to the Argentines, the passion that arouses Antonio Bernie. At MALBA, his work “Manifestación” (1934) is one of the most important in our art history thanks to its powerful social content. Although it illustrates the consequences of the Great Depression, it also reflects many other moments in the country.
of national heritage
The National museum of fine arts It is the most visited official institution dedicated to art in Argentina. Therefore, it is natural that many works, very convening, are located there. Among Argentines, experts highlight “Without bread and without work” (1893), from Ernesto de la Carcova, the first painting with a social theme in the history of Argentine art, which portrays unemployment. Also “The return of the malón” (1892), a painting by Ángel Della Valle, which was the first in its field: to represent the indigenous theme. Another important milestone is “Portrait of Manuelita Rosas” (1851), by Prilidiano Pueyrredon.
In the same room as De la Cárcova’s painting, there is another work that convenes by its force: “Elawakening de la criada” (1887), by Eduardo Sivori. “It is a very suggestive nude, which at the time had a complicated reception, because when it was exhibited for the first time in Argentina it was only allowed to be seen by men over 18 years of age”, recalls de la Rez. Even today, suitable for all audiences, it continues to draw attention not only for the nude, but also for the handling of light and its composition.
The MNBA also has extremely attractive international pieces. “The works of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists are some of the most widely seen: Manet, Monet, Sisley, Degas, Van Gogh, Gauguin and of course Rodin,” says Florencia Galesio, head of the museum’s Research and Curation area. In this way, “The Surprised Nymph” (1861) by Édouard Manet is one of the most admired.
In La Boca, the Benito Quinquela Martin Museum It houses many works by this artist, whose iconography is recognized by all. But Teresa Anchorena, president of the National Commission for Historical Monuments, Places and Assets, offers an extra little gem: “in the Casa del Teatro there are two works by Quinquela in the foyer that were recently restored and are very worthwhile.”
In the Kirchner Cultural Center, the most viewed work is evident, but no less impressive for that: the gigantic balloon-shaped mobile that makes up “Esfera azul” (2015), by Julio Le Parc, is admired daily. Its hundreds of acrylic plates move according to the ups and downs of the air, reflecting light in variable ways.
Another strong point of the national heritage is the mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros, “Plastic Exercise” (1933). It was carried out by the Polygraphic Team, made up of the muralist and also by Lino Enea Spilimbergo, Antonio Berni, Juan Carlos Castagnino and Enrique Lázaro, in Natalio Botana’s villa. After a long process, during which it was kept in containers for 16 years, in 2003 it was declared an Asset of National Historical Artistic Interest and transferred to its current location, in the Casa Rosada Museum.
Of sculptures and domes
But the most viewed works are not just paintings. In the Museum of Contemporary Art of Mar del Plata stands elegantly the “Alfajores Sea Wolf” (2013), created by Marta Minujín in iron and metal. Initially it was covered by 50,000 Havanna alfajores wrappers, icons of that city, to later be replaced by aluminum sheets.
The fountain “Las Nereidas” (1903), by Lola Mora, is engraved in popular memory. Located on the Costanera Sur, in its beginnings it caused a stir with its nudes, and represents the Nereids attending the birth of the goddess Venus. Meanwhile “The Thinker” (1880), by Auguste Rodin, is located in front of the Congress and was brought directly from Paris.
Finally, two domes take the applause of the public. The first is in Galerías Pacífico and was painted in 1945 by five great muralists: the artists Antonio Berni, Juan Carlos Castagnino, Lino Enea Spilimbergo, Manuel Colmeiro and Demetrio Urruchúa. They agreed to carry out a decoration that would achieve an iconographic construction of primary values and common practices, such as family and contact with nature.
The second dome rests in the Teatro Colón and was painted in 1966 by Raúl Soldi. Although at its inauguration the theater had paintings by the French artist Marcel Jambon (also the author of the original dome of the Paris Opera), they had been spoiled and it was chosen to replace them with Soldi’s work. He painted 51 figures between opera singers, dancers, actors and the inspiring elf of the artists on stage. Today it is enough to look up at the mythical theater to enjoy this, one of the most watched plays in the country.
The most famous works in the world
“La Gioconda” (1503), Leonardo Da Vinci, Louvre Museum.
“The Last Supper” (1495), Leonardo Da Vinci, Santa Maria Delle Grazie.
“The Starry Night” (1889), Vincent Van Gogh, MoMA.
“The Scream” (1893), Edvard Munch, National Museum of Norway.
“Guernica” (1937), Pablo Picasso, Reina Sofía Museum.
“The Kiss” (1907), Gustav Klimt, Upper Belvedere Museum.
“The Girl with a Pearl Earring” (1665), Johannes Vermeer, Mauritshuis.
“The Birth of Venus” (1485), Sandro Botticelli, Le Galerie Degli Uffizi.
“Las Meninas” (1656), Diego Velázquez, Prado Museum.
“Creation of Adam” (1508), Michelangelo Buonarroti, Sistine Chapel.
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