Before you, you can't miss the imposing beige facade of the museum with its gigantic Corinthian columns and stone statues, visible just behind the gate and surrounded by plants - look up, it's right there!
Welcome to the National Museum of Decorative Arts, a true palace straight out of the imagination of a French architect and the dream of an Argentine couple... but not just any couple! Imagine, in 1897, Matías Errazúriz, a Chilean heir who became ambassador to France, and Josefina de Alvear, granddaughter of an Argentine independence hero, united their destinies - and their fortunes! They wanted a retreat fit for kings for Matías, so they called upon René Sergent, a brilliant architect already known in Paris. This masterpiece, a pure neoclassical gem, was built for them between 1911 and 1917, despite World War I which slightly delayed the project.
To decorate this palace, only the crème de la crème of European artisans were hired! Wooden panels from the continent, marbles from France and Italy, mirrors, sumptuous frames. Each room was designed to impress - and you can bet that the number of banquets and balls held here made the heads of all high society spin! But in 1935, when Josefina died, Matías - a little overwhelmed by all these memories - bequeathed the house to the Argentine State, on the advice of his children, thinking that after all, it was better to share a little of the magic.
The beating heart of the palace, the Grand Hall impresses with its double height and its star-patterned maple and walnut parquet floor - imagine the echoes during receptions, laughter bouncing under the coffers and crystal chandeliers! Then one would move into the ballroom, graceful, refined, all rococo curves and golden mirror effects; there, the light seems to dance, lighter than the waltzes played during unforgettable evenings.
But this museum is also a labyrinth of magical salons! A Baroque dining room directly inspired by the Palace of Versailles, gardens designed by Achille Duchêne, a subtle winter lounge, luxurious private rooms, an Art Deco boudoir decorated by Josep Maria Sert... Each transports you to a different era, between memories of Marie Antoinette and Oriental inspirations in the master's study. Be careful not to get lost: even the faux-Paris stone staircases, the gallery of French and Flemish tapestries, everything seems ready to play tricks on you!
The collection gathers over 4,000 works of art: El Greco, Fragonard, Manet, Rodin, sculptures, porcelains, Chinese vases, 18th-century furniture, and the most important American collection of miniatures! Imagine the tension, with each delivery of a treasure from Europe, if a Qianlong vase decided to play acrobat! Don't panic, everything is well protected today... But the objects still seem to whisper their stories to attentive ears.
What's more, since 1944, the Argentine Academy of Letters has been located here... Culture is no laughing matter! To reward yourself after so many discoveries, take a stroll to Café Croque Madame in the gardens, perfect for playing the part of grand ladies and diplomats. Who knows, perhaps you'll hear the ghosts of former owners toasting your health, or maybe it's just the wind in the leaves...
Here is a museum-palace that blends laughter, secrets, sparkling parties, and a hint of mystery in every corner. Before entering, breathe deeply, open your eyes wide... Ready to push open the door to centuries past?
