Recife Art Galleries

(Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil)



Recife is home to a number of popular art galleries, which are known locally as 'pinacotecs' (Portuguese). Located within the Gracas area of the Zona Norte, the Museu do Estado de Pernambuco (Museum of Pernambuco State) is one of the best and is to be found housed within an imposing 19th-century mansion, on the Avenida Rui Barbosa.

Both the Museu Oficina Francisco Brennand (Ceramic Museum and Workshop) and the Francisco Brennand Parque de Esculturas (Sculpture Park) stand out in Recife, where the creative works of this acclaimed Brazilian artist can be enjoyed. The Museu de Arte Moderna Aluisio Magalhaes (Aluisio Magalhaes Modern Art Museum) is also of note in Recife, being found on the Rua da Aurora, where it is packed with contemporary pieces in a variety of sizes.


Museu do Estado de Pernambuco (Museum of Pernambuco State)

Address: Avenida Rui Barbosa 960, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 081 3427 9322
This state museum opened its doors to the public in 1929 and functions mainly as an art gallery, boasting more than 12,000 individual works of art. The various paintings on display at the Museu do Estado de Pernambuco date from the Brazilian Colonial Period and the time of the Dutch invasion (between 1630 and 1654), right up to present day. The periodical Salao de Arte Contemporanea de Pernambuco (Contemporary Art Exhibition of Pernambuco) is worth looking out for and champions local emerging artists.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Museu Oficina Francisco Brennand / Atelier de Ceramica (Francisco Brennand Ceramic Museum and Workshop)

Address: Propriedade Santos Cosme e Damiao, between Rua Gastao Vidigal and Avenida Caxangá, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 081 3271 2466
A famous Brazilian artist best known for his distinctive contemporary sculptures, Francisco de Paula de Almeida Brennand has pieces exhibited throughout the world, although a particularly high concentration reside in Recife, both here and at the adjacent Parque de Esculturas (Sculpture Park). Many abstract ceramics and tiles are displayed at his studio / workshop, which occupies an old brick factory once own by his English relatives.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Instituto Ricardo Brennand (Ricardo Brennand Institute)

Address: Praca Comunidade Luso Brasileira, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 081 2121 0352
Located on the Praca Comunidade Luso Brasileira, in the Várzea area of the city and within the stunning medieval-style Forte de Sao Joao Batista do Brum, the Instituto Ricardo Brennand contains an important military / weaponry museum, along with an art gallery, extensive parkland and gardens, and a well-stocked library. This cultural institution was created in 2002 by wealthy businessman and keen collector Ricardo de Almeida Coimbra Brennand, and is called home by a series of outdoor sculptures and European paintings, including a selection of Dutch pieces from the 17th century.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Francisco Brennand Parque de Esculturas (Francisco Brennand Sculpture Park)

Address: Parque de Esculturas, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
Located close to the Museu Oficina Francisco Brennand, within the Varzea neighbourhood, the Francisco Brennand Parque de Esculturas stands next to the harbourfront. This popular sculpture park has almost 100 sculptures, being dominated by one in particular, the 'Torre de Cristal' - a towering column measuring some 30 metres / 98 feet in height. A pleasant way to view the exhibits is to take a boat from the Praca do Marco Zero and enjoy the waterfront views and subsequent reflections.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Museu de Arte Moderna Aluisio Magalhaes - MAMAM (Aluisio Magalhaes Modern Art Museum)

Address: Rua da Aurora 265, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 081 3232 2844
The Museu de Arte Moderna Aluisio Magalhaes stands within the central Boa Vista area, on the Rua da Aurora. Regular changing exhibitions of contemporary and visual arts can be expected here, as well as some popular workshops, lectures, debates and performance art. A further branch of this gallery is located on the Pátio de Sao Pedro.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 12:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge


Other notable galleries in Recife include the following:

Museu Murillo La Greca (Murillo La Greca Museum)

Address: Rua Leonardo Bezerra Cavalcanti 366, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 081 3232 4276

Museu de Arte Sacra Padre Roberto Barbalho (Padre Roberto Barbalho Sacred Art Museum)

Address: Rua Nova 309, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 081 3224 3106

Museu Franciscano de Arte Sacra (Franciscan Museum of Sacred Art)

Address: Rua Imperador Pedro II, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR

Museu de Arte Popular (Museum of Popular Art)

Address: Pátio de Sao Pedro 11, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, BR