A Spanish institution which, according to the Censo-Guía, was legally created in 1894 as the Museum of Contemporary Art and was renamed the Museum of Modern Art in 1895.
The Museo de Arte Moderno (MAM) was legally established by Royal Decree on 4 August 1894 under the name Museo de Arte Contemporáneo. Shortly thereafter, in 1895, it was renamed Museo de Arte Moderno.
Initially housed in the building now known as the National Library and Archaeological Museum, its first collection comprised 19th‑century holdings from the Prado, supplemented with sculptures, engravings and ceramics of the same period. The acquisition policy stipulated that new works should be awarded in official competitions, especially those presented at the National Fine Arts Exhibitions.
The institution’s development has always been shaped by political changes and the personalities who directed it. During the Second Republic, under Juan de la Encina, the museum hosted significant exhibitions and welcomed international avant‑garde movements. Under Franco’s regime, it became part of the Ministry of National Education and promoted Spain’s participation in international biennials such as those in Venice and São Paulo.
In 1951 the museum was formally divided into two entities by decree of 9 October 1951: the Museo Nacional de Arte del siglo XIX and the Museo Nacional de Arte Contemporáneo (MAM).
KEY FACTS
- Type
- Museum
- Year
- 1895
- Country or region
- Spain
References
- 6. Museo de Arte Moderno (MAM) - Censo-Guíacensoarchivos.mcu.es
