Guayasamin House Museum Architecture
The house, built between 1976 and 1979, was the place of residence of Master Oswaldo Guayasamin until his death. It is an important piece for the time, as it breaks the parameters of the current modernism that was on the rise, to stand out for its unique characteristics.
The architect who built it was Gustavo Guayasamin, together with the collaboration of another of his brothers, René Guayasamin, who as the work progressed, saw if the artist's objectives and needs were met, which were to have optimal spaces to be able to paint large-format works and to want this space to be a museum one day.
They were based on sketches made by the painter. The project was modified during its execution until it reached more than 2,000 square meters of construction. Throughout the 20 years that Oswaldo lived there, he never stopped adding new spaces: the swimming pool, guest rooms, adaptations in the patios, among others.
The functional approach of this house is rationalist, through the articulation of well-defined geometric blocks. The symbolism of the white walls with semicircular arches on a stone wall, configuring the courtyard of the bells, reflects the painter's constant concern about the Latin American identity that fuses the Hispanic and the Andean, aspects of Ecuadorian nationality.
The main hall recovers elements of traditional architecture such as stone pillars that support the gallery, with an important display of colonial works of art and archaeological pieces. Next to the dining room, a large space was created that was even used for concerts that the artist liked to organize for his friends and neighbors in the Bellavista neighborhood.
The artist's bedroom is located on the second floor and is the only one in the entire house, as Guayasamin cherished his personal space. Instead, the guest rooms he built over the years always had separate entrances from the gardens, keeping them separate from the main house.
The House
Residence where the Ecuadorian master Oswaldo Guayasamin lived, was inspired and worked in his last years. The Guayasamin House-Museum remained closed for 13 years, until in 2012 its will was fulfilled, and its doors were opened to the public.
Because of the great value that Guayasamin gave to art in general, he wanted to leave a legacy to his country, a patrimonial and artistic legacy. that went beyond his own work. Throughout his life he collected pre-Columbian pieces and colonial art objects, with the idea that when he died, these collections would belong to the Ecuadorian people. His interest in pre-Columbian things was awakened at an early age when his father gave him a pot, which he found by chance while working the land. From that moment on, he didn't stop collecting these pieces.
As for religious and colonial art, and despite the fact that Guayasamin denounced the values that were imposed in the conquest of America, he understood that these pieces are part of Latin American history and art and therefore he was interested in keeping a record of them through his collections.
Above the Master's bedroom, the crisp white walls support a strong wooden structure, on which a library is located. Guayasamin had an extensive collection of books, especially art, which, along with the painting studio, are the favorite places for tourists.
For its opening as a museum, the space where the artist worked on sculpture was set up on the lower floor of the house, which currently constitutes the Temporary Exhibition Hall, "Maruja Monteverde".
What was his "wine cellar", where the artist met with close friends, remains intact.
From there you can access the swimming pool and gardens, where he planted a pine tree that, after his death, was called "The Tree of Life".
Trying to respect his memory and his intention, a great effort has been made to preserve it largely as he left it. It houses a very representative part of its collections of Pre-Columbian, Colonial, and Contemporary art from Ecuador, as well as objects and art from all over the world.
It is located in Quito, in one of the most picturesque places in the city - the hill of Guangüiltagua - with a privileged visibility to the west of the city, and the still active Pichincha volcano. This space of art and culture combines: the passion with which Guayasamin selected each of the pieces collected, with the landscape and nature that surround it; and that accompanied him in his daily life, in his moments of sharing with his family, his friends, and that inspired him in his pictorial creation.
The Study
The studio is one of the most important parts of Oswaldo Guayasamin's house. In his daily life, the artist stayed most of the time here creating his works, working full days, from after breakfast until there was natural daylight.
This space was always flooded with music, the smell of paint and creativity. It was expanded in the 1990s, when Guayasamin began working on the murals for the Chapel of Man.
Currently his painting workshop is one of the favorite places of those who visit us at the Guayasamin Museum.
Tree of Life
In compliance with his express will, the remains of Master Guayasamin rest under a pine tree that was planted by himself, in the garden of his house.
His relatives and direct descendants have dubbed this tree the "Tree of Life". This space is open to the public who wish to visit it. It is usually very well attended with affection by those who come to the House Museum and the Chapel of Man to commemorate his life, placing floral offerings or mobiles that give life to the place.
Later, the ashes of his close friend, the writer Jorge Enrique Adoum, were also placed, by will agreed between them.
Oswaldo Guayasamin (July 6, 1919 – March 10, 1999) was an Ecuadorian painter, draftsman, sculptor, jewelry designer and muralist.
Jorge Enrique Adoum (June 29, 1026 – July 3, 2009) was an Ecuadorian writer, politician, essayist and diplomat.
Virtual
If you are wondering what the Guayasamin House Museum looks like inside, we invite you to get to know all its corners in a virtual tour, click here to enter the virtual tour