Can you believe that the Secretaria de Hacienda, Mexico’s finance ministry, houses a stunning art gallery? It might sound strange. But this is no ordinary government building. It is a treasure trove of Mexican art.
The Secretaria de Hacienda y Crédito Público is vital to Mexico. It shapes the country’s financial policies. It manages taxes, spending, and public debt. It strives for equitable and sustained economic growth. The Secretary of the Treasury leads this department. They are appointed by the President. They require the Chamber of Deputies’ approval. This role is like the US Secretary of the Treasury.
Legend says many Mexican artists struggled financially in the mid-20th century. When tax authorities came calling, the artists had an idea. They proposed “Pago en Especie y Acervo Patrimonial”. This means payment in kind and cultural heritage. The Secretaria de Hacienda accepted art instead of money. By the 1970s, the program was a hit.
Today, the SHCP Art Gallery has an amazing collection. It includes major Mexican 20th-century and contemporary art. This is quite impressive for any city. Most Mexicans agree that it was a good deal.
But there is more to the Secretaria de Hacienda. The same organization runs a whole museum. It is located across the Zocalo. The SHCP Art Gallery hosts smaller temporary exhibits. The museum displays a large permanent collection. It is housed in a massive historical building.
The Museo de la Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público is in Mexico City’s historic center. It is located in the Palacio del Arzobispado. This palace dates back to 1530. Friar Juan de Zumárraga ordered its construction. It was built on the ruins of a pyramid. The pyramid honored the Aztec god Tezcatlipoca. The building served as the archbishopric until 1867. Then, the Finance Ministry Accountancy Department moved in. The modern museum displays an exhibit about Tezcatlipoca. It also has a large art collection.
The building has two stone-columned courtyards. Friar Juan de Zumárraga became New Spain’s first archbishop in 1530. New Spain included most of the Americas and the Philippines. He chose two houses near the future cathedral. These became the archbishophric. Modifications continued until 1771. The complex features a cornice with inverted arches and merlons. Two estipite columns flank the portal.
Remnants of the pyramid of Tezcatlipoca are visible on the ground floor. This is thanks to a restoration project completed in 1997. Excavations uncovered details of the pre-Hispanic structures. Francisco Primo de Verdad y Ramos was imprisoned here. He was an early conspirator for Mexican Independence. He died here in 1808.
The museum’s collection spans the 18th to 20th centuries. It includes works by Juan Correa and Diego Garcia. You will also find art by Rufino Tamayo. The central exhibit is “Pago en Especie y Acervo Patrimonial”. It features works by Mexican and foreign artists living in Mexico. They donated these works instead of paying taxes. The program started in 1957. It aimed to stimulate artistic activity in Mexico. David Alfaro Siqueiros was a key promoter.
The idea gained momentum in the 1970s. Jaime Saldivar and Inés Amor revived Siquieros’ idea. President Luis Echeverría Álvarez supported it in 1975. Contemporary artists enthusiastically joined the project. The museum has works by Rodolfo Morales and Rafael Coronel. It also hosts temporary exhibits of contemporary art.
So, next time you think of taxes, remember the Secretaria de Hacienda. It is more than just a finance ministry. It is a patron of the arts. Its collection reflects Mexico’s cultural richness.