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It was founded in 1909 by the collector Silvano Godoy, first general director of Museums and Archives of Paraguay.



In the same building is the National Archive, which houses the most important collection of documents related to the history of the country.



The rich artisanal tradition of the ethnic groups that populated the different territories that today make up the country, had no recognized impact during the colonization process. However, with the arrival of the Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries, there began to be a gradual transformation in music, architecture and, importantly, in the carving of images, where the craftsmanship of the natives played a decisive role.



After the expulsion of the Society of Jesus and the diminution of the Franciscan presence, there was a sudden interruption in artistic production. Situcation that only began to change timidly in the mid-nineteenth century with the appearance of two Paraguayan painters: Saturio Ríos and Aurelio García, to which was added the arrival of European architects and builders who helped define the urban profile of the city of Asunción , capital of the new Republic.



The massive arrival of immigrants, among whom were several European artists, marked a valuable mark on the development of national art. The Italian Guido Boggiani, discovers the indigenous art; the academic Héctor Da Ponte, is dedicated to the formation of young people, and the Frenchman Julio Mornet, remained seven years in Paraguay, where, among other activities, he made several of the paintings that adorned the ceiling of the Palacio de López.



Thanks to the efforts of Guido Boggiani and the collaboration of some cultural institutions, several young artists, Carlos Colombo, Juan Samudio, among others, had the opportunity to access study grants in Italy, where they perfected their techniques in different schools of academic orientation . Upon their return, they were mainly dedicated to painting landscapes and portraits.



The National Museum of Fine Arts, located on Calle Mcal. Estigarribia esq / Iturbe in the city of Asunción, exhibits more than 650 works of art, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, engravings, photographs of Paraguayan and international artists. As well as ancient coins, furniture and various objects that belonged to its creator.



Paraguayan painting

The Paraguayan painting collection features works by 19th century artists such as Saturio Ríos, Aurelio García, W: S: Scheler. Among the artists of the 20th century stand out Andrés Campos Cervera, Pablo Alborno, Juan Samudio, Hector Da Ponte, Miguel Acevedo, Modesto Delgado Rodas, Roberto Holden, Jaime Bestard, Fabiola Adam, Ofelia Echagüe Vera, Laura Marquez, Olga Blinder, Edith Jiménez, Carlos Colombino.



International painting

The countries with the highest number of works are: Argentina, Brazil, Spain, France, Uruguay and Italy. Also represented are Germany, Bolivia, the United States, Peru, Chile, Belgium, Korea and the Philippines.



Sculptures

Among the collection of sculptures are the works of the Paraguayan artists Patricia Ayala, Andres Campos Cervera, Roberto Ayala, Hugo Pistilli, Jorge Trigo and Angel Yegros, as well as carvings created in the Jesuit reductions. The Museum also exhibits sculptural works by artists from France, Italy and Argentina.

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