Gazing at the Museo de Arte religiosa, one might not immediately guess the intriguing journey that led to its creation. This museum safeguards a treasure of religious art within the historic walls of Quito. Let’s step back in time to uncover how this cultural gem came to be.
It all began in 1934. Quito celebrated the fourth centenary of its founding. The Franciscan community organized an exhibition. Religious artworks from their collection were displayed in the main cloister of the Convent of San Francisco.
A pivotal moment arrived in 1945. The National Constituent Assembly passed the Law of Artistic Patronage. This law mandated the return of buildings occupied by the Civil Guard to the Franciscan Community. It also stipulated something significant. They had to establish a “Museum of Religious Art” in those spaces.
The law was clear. The Casa de la Cultura would provide technical direction. The religious order would care for the art. The museums and libraries should be open to the public. The religious communities and Casa de la Cultura would agree on opening hours.
In 1950, the Museo de Arte religiosa officially opened inside the Franciscan Convent. It remained open until 1983. A new technical intervention began, called the “Ecuador-Spain” agreement.
This agreement involved both governments. They collaborated on a project managed by the Ministry of Culture and the National Institute of Heritage. The project included work on some areas. It included artistic works and a museographic script. For example, they restored the Mudejar paneling of the choir. They intervened on over 500 artworks. The gardens were rehabilitated.
By May 1993, the first four rooms of the Museo de Arte religiosa opened to the public. They were located in the north gallery of the Main Cloister. In October 1995, two additional rooms and a gallery opened. These were in the western part of the Museum Cloister. Approximately 500 square meters of visible area were completed. This included six exhibition rooms and one gallery.
Later projects focused on the rescue of the museum’s heritage. These were initiated by the “Management Plan for the San Francisco convent complex.” UNESCO in Quito oversaw this plan. The Franciscan Order of Ecuador, national cultural institutions, and Italian funds contributed. The Municipality of the Metropolitan District also joined. They donated funds raised by the Patronato San José. This donation was delivered in 2018.
The Museo de Arte religiosa benefited from this collaboration. The Old Convent Brewery was adapted. New spaces were created for administrative areas. The marble pile of the Main Cloister was also recovered.
In August 2001, the Franciscan Community decided to rename the museum. It became the “Museo Franciscano Fray Pedro Gocial.” This honored Brother Pedro Gocial. He was a Flemish Franciscan. He was also the first master of painting in Quito.
Pedro Gocial founded the “San Andrés” School of Arts. He taught painting techniques. Fray Reginaldo de Lizárraga, a Dominican, witnessed this in Quito around 1560.
The Museo de Arte religiosa has had several directors. Brother Manuel García, Father Jhon Castro and Father Walter Verdezoto. Also Father Julio Pozo Almeida and Brother Victor Hugo Pupiales. The current director is Brother Manuel García Verdugo.
Today the Museo Franciscano Fray Pedro Gocial stands as a testament to faith, art, and history. Its walls echo with stories of the past. Each artwork tells a tale of devotion.