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Bahia Art Museum: Salvador’s Oldest Museum

The Bahia Art Museum (MAB) is the oldest art museum in the State of Bahia, located in Salvador, in the Vitória district, at Avenida Sete de Setembro, 2340, in the Corredor da Vitória.

Founded in 1918, the museum is housed in the historic building of Solar Cerqueira Lima, an old aristocratic mansion that has been adapted over time to house the museum’s extensive art collection.

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Museu de Arte da Bahia

Bahia Art Museum (MAB)

The collection

The museum’s collection is very varied and covers different periods of art history, with works from the 17th to the 20th century. The collection includes

• Paintings: With an emphasis on Brazilian and foreign artists, the museum houses important collections of paintings by José Teófilo de Jesus, Prisciliano Silva, Almeida Júnior, among others.
• Sculptures: Mainly works of sacred art, such as images of saints carved in wood, as well as statues by Bahian and international artists.
• Furniture and Decorative Arts: The museum preserves a rich collection of period furniture, porcelain, silverware, tiles and other decorative objects that reflect the lifestyle of the colonial elite.
• Religious Art: Includes crucifixes, reliquaries and devotional images, highlighting Bahia’s strong religious tradition.

Exhibitions

In addition to its permanent collection, the Museum organises temporary exhibitions that explore different aspects of Brazilian and international art and culture. These exhibitions often focus on contemporary themes, creating a dialogue between the past and the present.

Architectural heritage

The MAB building, Solar Cerqueira Lima, is an outstanding example of the neoclassical architecture that characterises many of Salvador’s aristocratic mansions. The building itself is a work of art, with spacious balconies, luxurious interiors and exquisite decorative elements.

Cultural importance

The MAB is an important cultural centre in Bahia, promoting access to art and encouraging artistic and cultural development in the region. It is part of a cultural circuit that includes other museums and art spaces in the Vitória Corridor, making it a point of reference for visitors and researchers.

See some of the works in the Bahia Art Museum

See the museums in Salvador that house different collections

Location and access

Located in one of the most traditional and noble areas of Salvador, the Corredor da Vitória, the MAB is easily accessible for tourists and locals alike. Its location also puts it close to other important cultural and tourist attractions in the city, such as the Geological Museum of Bahia and the Acclamation Palace.

The museum plays an important role in the preservation and promotion of Bahia’s artistic heritage and offers an immersion in history and culture through its rich collection.

Bahia.ws – Tourist Guide to Salvador de Bahia and the Northeast

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 21/12/2022 · Updated on 12/05/2025

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