Museo de Artes Gráficas

Engraved in time, the Museo de Artes Gráficas stands as a testament to Mexico’s rich artistic heritage. Right here in the heart of Mexico City, on Avenida Hidalgo in the Plaza de la Santa Veracruz, the Museo de Artes Gráficas, also known as MUNAE, invites you to explore the captivating world of prints and engravings. The MUNAE opened its doors in 1986, but the story of this building and the art it houses stretches back much further. The Museo de Artes Gráficas possesses a remarkable collection of over 12,500 pieces. From pre-Hispanic clay seals to modern masterpieces, the museum showcases the evolution of graphic arts in Mexico. Imagine holding a clay seal used centuries ago to imprint designs on fabric, a tangible link to the artistic expressions of ancient civilizations. The MUNAE building itself has a fascinating past. It stands on land that once belonged to the camposanto, or cemetery, of the Santa Veracruz Parish. Over the centuries, this site transformed from a cemetery to a flower market, then residences and businesses, and finally, to the home of the Museo de Artes Gráficas. In the 19th century, writer and soldier Florencio María del Castillo Velasco acquired the land and began building a house, likely on the spot where the MUNAE now stands. His life took a dramatic turn when he joined the fight against the French intervention, eventually dying as a prisoner of war. The Museo de Artes Gráficas houses not just art, but stories of ambition, conflict, and ultimately, the enduring power of artistic expression. The Museo de Artes Gráficas is more than just a museum; it’s a living testament to the evolution of art, a place where history and creativity intertwine. The MUNAE invites you to delve into the world of graphic arts, to appreciate the intricate details and the powerful stories they tell.