Museo de arte Tigre

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Museo de Arte Tigre is a distinguished cultural institution located in the city of Tigre, in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Situated beautifully along the shore of the Luján River, this museum invites visitors to experience both outstanding Argentine art and an architectural gem that radiates historical grandeur. Nestled in an elegant, time‑honoured building, the museum offers a richly immersive experience that unites artistic heritage, architectural splendour, and creative activities for all ages.

About the Museum

The Museo de Arte Tigre, often referred to by its initials MAT, opened its doors to the public in the year 2006 and is housed in the former Tigre Club, a landmark of early twentieth‑century social life in Argentina. The building itself, designed by the French architectural firm Dubois and Pater, is a magnificent example of neoclassical and eclectic style, adorned with ornamental details such as wrought iron gates, Carrara marble staircases, Slavonian oak floors, and gilded bronze decoration. Its grand ballroom on the first floor features an oval vaulted ceiling painted by the Spanish artist Julio Vila y Prades, depicting mythological figures—eight nymphs playing musical instruments—illuminated by a stunning bronze and crystal chandelier. A charming feature is the riverside verandah, complete with decorative lampposts, which gracefully extends toward the Luján River.

Inside, the museum presents a remarkable collection of Argentine art in figurative traditions from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Its permanent collection includes artists such as Rugendas, Della Valle, Pallière, Sívori, Quirós, Butler, Fader, Quinquela Martín, Spilimbergo, Berni, Soldi, Castagnino and Alonso. The museum’s holdings span much more: nineteenth‑century aquarelles, oils and lithographs by Rugendas, Pellegrini, Pallière, Aguyari; works by members of the “Generation of 80,” such as Sívori, Della Valle, Antonio Alice, and Mendilaharsu; artists of the Nexus group (1905–1907) including Fader, de Quirós, Ripamonte; and key twentieth‑century names like Norah Borges, Spilimbergo, Berni, Soldi, Castagnino, Alonso, and Forner.

The museum also shines in other formats: it maintains a photographic archive focused on scenes of Tigre and the Delta, and numerous sculptures placed in its gardens—among them “Mujer con libro” by José Fioravanti. The MAT regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, along with guided tours and creative workshops especially designed for children, as well as courses, poetry and music cycles, all forming a vibrant program of cultural extension.

Moreover, the museum’s collection grows through significant donations. Notably, a remarkable donation from Dr Guillermo Jaim Etcheverry added approximately 250 artworks—including paintings, sculptures, prints, and collages—to the museum’s holdings, enriching themes such as human figures, still lifes, landscapes, and works of the “School of La Boca”. This gift contributed significantly to a current total of around 600 works, reinforcing the museum’s identity as a stronghold of Argentine figurative art of the twentieth century.

Visitors can enjoy guided tours, available Wednesday through Friday at 16:30 hours, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays at both 13:30 and 16:30 hours. The museum is open Wednesday to Friday from 13:00 to 18:00 hours, and Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 12:00 to 18:00 hours; the ticket office closes at 17:30 hours. Entry general admission costs 5,100 pesos; minors under twelve, residents of Tigre (with proper identification), persons with disabilities and seniors with documentation are admitted at no cost.

Interesting Facts

The museum is housed in the former Tigre Club, which opened in 1912 as a social and sporting venue and featured a casino between 1927 and 1933.
The exquisite architecture includes Carrara marble, Slavonian oak, wrought iron, gilded bronze ornament and a painted vaulted ceiling by Julio Vila y Prades.
Declared a National Historic Monument in 1979, the building underwent restoration and was inaugurated as an art museum in 2006.
The museum’s collection spans two centuries of Argentine figurative art, including landscape, portraiture, still lifes and cultural scenes.
A substantial donation of roughly 250 works from Guillermo Jaim Etcheverry enriched the museum’s holdings to approximately 600 pieces.
The museum offers creative programming beyond exhibitions, including workshops for children, guided tours, concerts, poetry cycles, and other cultural activities.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: +54 11 2184 1205

Website: mat.gov.ar/

Facebook: facebook.com/museoartetigre/

Conclusion

The Museo de Arte Tigre is a jewel of Argentine culture—a place where architectural splendor, historical resonance and artistic expression converge. Visitors step into a majestic early twentieth‑century building that once echoed with music, dances and social life of the Belle Époque, now transformed into a welcoming space for art and creativity. Its impressive collection offers a journey through the evolution of figurative art in Argentina, while its dynamic programming invites engagement of all ages and interests. Whether you are drawn by the ornate elegance of its halls, the vibrant diversity of its artworks, or the enriching atmosphere of its educational activities, the Museo de Arte Tigre delivers a deeply compelling and uplifting experience—one that celebrates Argentina’s artistic heritage with warmth and grace.