Rio de Janeiro Art Galleries

(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Located among beautiful gardens, the Museum of Modern Art is one of the leading art galleries of Rio de Janeiro and is home to a number of works by famous Brazilian artists, such as Di Cavalcanti, Bruno Giorgi and Maria Martins.

Other very noteworthy art galleries residing within Rio de Janeiro include the city's acclaimed Museum of International Naive Art (Museu Internacional de Arte Naïf), and the ever-popular Museum of Fine Art (Museu Nacional de Belas Artes). The eye-catching Museum of Contemporary Art (Museu de Arte Contemporanea) is also worth a look and is often referred to as the 'Flying Saucer', due to its distinctive round shape and hard-to-miss architecture.

Museum of Modern Art

Address: Avenida Infante Dom Henrique 85, Parque do Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 212 210 2188
As well as a permanent collection, the Museum of Modern Art regularly showcases talent from around the country in temporary exhibitions which focus on contemporary art, up and coming artists and photography. Unfortunately, much of the early work which was displayed here was destroyed by a fire in 1970, but since then the museum has been steadily restocked with quality pieces.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 12:00 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday - 12:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Museu Internacional de Arte Naïf (Museum of International Naive Art)

Address: Rua Cosme Velho 561, Cosme Velho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 212 205 8612
Home to the most extensive collection of naive art, the Museu Internacional de Arte Naïf really is quite unmissable. Naive art is characterised by its simplicity and is rather childlike in its appearance, often being painted by trained artists who are simply trying to express themselves in their very own unique and stylish way. Conveniently close to the tram station of Corcovado, this museum tends to concentrate on pieces created by Brazilian artists, with guided tours being available in English and other languages if required.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday - 12:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Museu Nacional de Belas Artes (Museum of Fine Art)

Address: Avenida Rio Branco 199, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 212 240 0068
Serving as Rio de Janeiro's very impressive Museum of Fine Art, the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes showcases the best aspects of Brazilian art. Now one of the city's leading art galleries and dating back around 100 years, the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes was actually inspired by none other than the Louvre in Paris. Look out for the colourful Africa art works and the pieces by famous artists, such as Victor Meirelles and Candido Portinari.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 13:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Museu de Arte Contemporanea - MAC (Museum of Contemporary Art)

Address: Mirante de Boa Viagem, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 212 620 2400
The Museu de Arte Contemporanea is the city's most visited contemporary art gallery. Just a short ferry ride across the scenic Guanabara Bay, the Museu de Arte Contemporanea resides within the Niteroi district of Rio de Janeiro and contains a wealth of art works, created by all manner of international artists in various different mediums. Further attractions include a cinema, frequent lectures and similar events, a popular restaurant and some very special bay views.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge