One of the greatest symbols of modern architecture, the São Paulo Museum of Art celebrates its 50th anniversary today on Paulista Avenue! Founded in 1947 by businessman Assis Chateaubriand, it was the first modern museum in the country. At Chateaubriand's invitation, Pietro Maria Bardi was chosen to be the direct MASP and Lina Bo Bardi to develop the architectural and exhibition projects. Construção do museu. (Divulgação)
Originally installed on Rua 7 de Abril, in the city center, it was only transferred to Avenida Paulista on November 7, 1968. Lightness, transparency and suspension mark Lina's iconic project, guided by the use of glass and concrete in the conception of MASP, which became a landmark in the history of modern architecture. The 74 meters of the free span of MASP were designed as a public square, which the population could enjoy. MASP em construção. (Luiz Hossaka - Arquivo da Biblioteca e Centro de Documentação do MASP)
MASP em construção. (Luiz Hossaka - Arquivo da Biblioteca e Centro de Documentação do MASP)
The space currently occupied by the museum was part of the Trianon belvedere and a traditional meeting point for the São Paulo elite. In 1951, it was demolished to make way for a pavilion that housed the first São Paulo International Biennial. Tomie Ohtake cumprimentando a rainha Elizabeth II, na Inauguração do Museu. Ao fundo, a obra Composição em amarelo, de Tomie. (Luiz Hossaka - Arquivo da Biblioteca e Centro de Documentação do MASP)
The MASP construction took 10 years to complete and finally, on November 7, the new headquarters was inaugurated in the presence of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, who gave the inauguration speech. Vista externa do museu, na década de 70, antes das colunas serem pintadas. (Divulgação)
