Museo Pedro de Osma

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Pedro de Osma Museum, located on Avenida Pedro de Osma in the heart of the Barranco district in Lima, Peru, offers visitors a captivating journey through centuries of Peruvian art. Housed in a historic family mansion originally built in 1906, the museum showcases exceptional works from the viceregal period as well as art from Ancient Peru. Situated in one of Lima’s most artistic neighbourhoods, the museum invites guests to step into a beautifully preserved residence filled with treasures that span cultural eras and artistic styles.

About the Museum

The Pedro de Osma Museum is set within the former summer residence of the Osma family, commissioned in 1906 by Pedro de Osma y Pardo and designed in an elegant French style by architect Santiago Basurco. The building features Art Nouveau stained glass windows, metal roofs, crystal chandeliers, and a verdant garden between two pavilions—the main residence and a separate dining area—both of which form part of the public exhibition space.

The art collection displayed at the museum was assembled by Pedro de Osma Gildemeister, whose passion for viceregal and European art informed the collection’s depth and quality. Following his death in 1967, his wish to establish a foundation to preserve and share the collection came to fruition. In July 1988, the house began receiving visitors by reservation, and it officially opened to the general public on June 1, 1996.

In 2009, a new museographic layout was introduced by curators Jaime Mariazza and Ricardo Estabridis, enabling a clear, chronological experience—from early evocations of Mannerism to the flourishing Cusco School of the eighteenth century. More recently, a gallery dedicated to Art from the Southern Andes was inaugurated in 2017, featuring art from Tiwanaku, Inca, and viceregal cultures, drawn from a significant Cusco private collection.

The museum also offers a full range of visitor services, including guided tours in Spanish and English by reservation, audio guides, free Wi-Fi in the gardens, a restoration hall that showcases conservation work, accessible facilities including elevators and wheelchair loans, bicycle racks, and visitor parking. In addition, the museum allows rentals of its patios and halls for corporate events and supports educational, publication, and image reproduction services.

Interesting Facts

The museum is housed in a family summer residence built in 1906, featuring Art Nouveau elements, crystal chandeliers, stained glass, and a French architectural style.
The collection includes a remarkable array of viceregal paintings, sculptures, furniture, silverwork, Huamanga stone carvings, and more, with an emphasis on paintings from the eighteenth-century Cusco School.
The museum’s exhibition path starts with Mannerist works by Italian painters such as Bernardo Bitti and Matteo Pérez de Alesio, who significantly influenced Peruvian colonial art.
The restoration hall allows visitors to observe the process of conserving paintings and sculptures, highlighting the museum’s commitment to preservation.
In 2017, the museum added a remarkable gallery dedicated to Ancient Peruvian art from the Southern Andes, including Tiwanaku and Inca works from a Cusco private collection.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: +511 467 0063

Website: museopedrodeosma.org/

Facebook: facebook.com/MuseoPedrodeOsma/

Conclusion

The Pedro de Osma Museum is a cultural gem in Lima’s Barranco district, offering an extraordinary opportunity to explore Peruvian viceregal and pre-Hispanic heritage within a beautifully preserved historical residence. Visitors can follow a thoughtfully curated journey—from early Mannerist influences through the expressive heights of the Cusco School and beyond—while also gaining insight into the museum’s restoration practices and architectural elegance. With accessible amenities, multilingual guides, and educational resources, the museum makes art and history welcoming to all. Whether you are an art lover, a history enthusiast, or a curious traveler, a visit to the Pedro de Osma Museum promises to be a richly rewarding experience that celebrates Peru’s artistic legacy in a truly inspiring setting.