Museo de Bellas Artes de Murcia

About the museum

The museum originates in the Museo Provincial, created in 1864 at the proposal of the Provincial Commission of Monuments, which had begun gathering works in 1844. The collections were first installed in the Teatro de los Infantes and then in the Contraste de la Seda palace, a building that soon proved too small. Between 1903 and 1905 the architect Pedro Cerdán erected the present building on the former convent of the Trinidad, in an eclectic style, and it opened in 1910; the Baroque façades of the former Contraste were later incorporated.

In 1953 the archaeology section moved to the Casa de la Cultura, and the museum took the name Bellas Artes (Fine Arts). It was declared a historic-artistic monument in 1962, was extended in the 1970s and was refurbished again between 2000 and 2005. Today it has two pavilions: the Pabellón Cerdán, with the permanent collections, and the Pabellón Contraste, with the assembly hall and the temporary exhibition rooms.

The visit is arranged by floor. The first brings together Renaissance painting of the 16th century and Murcian Baroque of the 17th century; the second, Spanish and Italian painting of the 17th century and Murcian art of the 18th century; and the third, 19th-century painting, from Romanticism to genre painting (costumbrismo) and regionalism, with works by artists such as Madrazo, Rosales, Sorolla and Romero de Torres.

Highlights

• The Virgin of the Spindle (La Virgen del huso), by Fernando de Llanos
• The Journey of Tobias and Sarah, by Pedro de Orrente
• Baroque painting by Zurbarán, Ribera, Murillo and Valdés Leal
• The Orange Girl (Gitana de la naranja), by Julio Romero de Torres
• Cabinet with plans of the Huerta of Murcia, ceramics and prints by Piranesi

Permanent exhibition

• Colección permanente – Painting and sculpture across three floors: Renaissance and Murcian Baroque, Spanish and Italian painting of the 17th century and art of the 18th century, and 19th-century painting.

Founded

1864

Operated by

Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission. Guided tours must be requested directly from the museum.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is described as accessible for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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