Museum of History, Anthropology and Art of the University of Puerto Rico
The Museum of History, Anthropology and Art of the University of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Museo de Historia, Antropología y Arte de la Universidad de Puerto Rico) — often shortened to Museum of the UPR (Museo de la UPR) or MAHA — is a university museum dedicated to anthropology, archaeology and the history of art of Puerto Rico located on the grounds of the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Officially dating to 1951,[1] this museum is the oldest in Puerto Rico[2] with its first collection being even older dating to 1914, donated by then Resident Commissioner Federico Degetau.[3]
Museo de Historia, Antropología y Arte de la Universidad de Puerto Rico | |
Former name | Museo Juan Ponce de León |
|---|---|
| Location | University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Type | Anthropology and art museum |
| Website | https://www.uprrp.edu/tag/museo-de-arte-upr/ |
History edit
Although MAHA did not officially open to the public until 1951, its first collection dates to 1914, which consisted of Federico Degetau's personal art collection. The museum's most famous piece of Puerto Rican art, Francisco Oller's El Velorio (1893), was acquired the following year in 1915. Prior to this El Velorio was held at the Insular Library of Puerto Rico in Old San Juan.[3]
Historian and professor Rafael W. Ramírez de Arellano established the museum's first iteration under the name of Museo Juan Ponce de León; this museum was dedicated to archaeology and the history of Puerto Rico, and it contained important artifacts intended to showcase the history of the island to students of history. The university administration officially recognized this institution in 1943, and Dr. Ricardo Alegría was named its first director in 1947. The Puerto Rican government officially recognized the museum as a public institution in 1951, making it the first official museum in Puerto Rico.[3]
The museum is one of the four museum institutions managed by the University of Puerto Rico, the other three being the Dr. Pío López Martínez Museum (UPR Cayey),[4] the Roig House Museum (UPR Humacao),[5] and the Sculpture Garden at the University of Puerto Rico Botanical Garden.[6]
Museum building edit
The museum's collection was moved to its current building in 1959. The building was designed by prominent German architect Henry Klumb, who also designed other buildings on campus such as the Student Center, the José M. Lázaro General Library, the UPR Law School Building and the Campus Faculty Center.[7]
Collections edit
The museum's collection of Puerto Rican and Antillean archaeology is one of the most comprehensive in the Caribbean.[2] The museum collections also include paintings, drawings, sculptures, philately, historic documents, numismatics and ethnographic objects. It also houses a specialized comprehensive archive of Puerto Rican art.[1]
- Museum collection
- El Velorio; by Francisco Oller; 1893
- Self-portrait; by Francisco Oller; circa 1892
- José Dufresne; by José Campeche; 1782
- Taino petroglyph; ca. 1100 - 1500 AD
-
- Saladoid culture ceramic from the Hacienda Grande archaeological site in Loíza; 100 BCE - 600 AD
- The original flag of Lares from the Lares Revolt of 1868.
Programs and activities edit
The museum offers exhibitions, guided tours, art workshops, conferences, forums, and concerts.[2][8]
References edit
- ^ a b "Museo de Historia, Antropología y Arte de Río Piedras". Universidad de Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-03-28.
- ^ a b c "Museo de Historia, Antropología y Arte de la Universidad de Puerto Rico". Discover Puerto Rico. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
- ^ a b c "CONTENTdm". upr.contentdm.oclc.org. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
- ^ "Museo Dr. Pío López Martínez". Universidad de Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-03-28.
- ^ "Museo Casa Roig". Universidad de Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-03-28.
- ^ "Jardín de Esculturas". Universidad de Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-03-28.
- ^ . 2008-04-01. Archived from the original on 1 April 2008. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
- ^ "Museo de Arte UPR – Universidad de Puerto Rico" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-03-28.
External links edit
- Official website (in Spanish)