Opened in 2018 and housed in the former residence of journalist and collector Roberto Marinho (1904–2003), the space offers the public a unique opportunity to admire a collection of Brazilian modern art in a preserved historic residential setting.
Image description: This is a photograph of a garden with a house in the background. On the left side, there is a green bridge over a small pond, surrounded by green plants. On the right, there is a large two-story house with a red roof, surrounded by tall trees and green shrubs. On the right side of the image, there is a transparent structure with a grid. The lawn is green and well maintained, and the pond reflects the house and the trees.Parte do jardim da casa
Located in Cosme Velho, in Rio de Janeiro's South Zone, the neighborhood inherited its name from the Portuguese merchant Cosme Velho da Motta, who lived there in the 16th century. Situated in a valley at the foot of Corcovado Hill, Cosme Velho was, for centuries, an aristocratic and intellectual refuge, having been home to figures such as Machado de Assis and Cecília Meireles.
The region is crossed by the Rio Carioca, a watercourse of vital importance that gave its name to the city's inhabitants. The river runs right through the property's garden, reinforcing the institute's connection with the geographical and environmental history of Rio de Janeiro.
Image description: The image shows an art gallery with four paintings arranged on the walls. On the left side, there is a painting depicting a plant in a vase on a light-colored surface. In the center, two paintings similar in size and shape, both featuring human figures and objects in shades of blue and green. On the right, another smaller painting, also with human figures and decorative elements in shades of red and green. The walls are white and the floor is made of light-colored wood. At the top left, it reads "Burle Marx."Foto de uma das exposições
The construction of the house began in 1939 under engineer César Melo Cunha. The chosen style was Neocolonial, inspired by the Solar de Megaípe (a 17th-century construction from Pernambuco). This style sought a genuinely Brazilian architectural identity, reviving elements from our colonial past.
The residence was the setting for important cultural gatherings that brought together names such as Tom Jobim, Dorival Caymmi, and Pixinguinha. Today, the institute houses around 1,400 works, with a special focus on modernist masters such as Tarsila do Amaral, Di Cavalcanti, Portinari, and Lasar Segall. The garden, a work of art in its own right, was designed by the renowned landscape architect Burle Marx and harmonizes the neocolonial architecture with the surrounding Atlantic Forest's lush vegetation.
To become a cultural center, the interior of the house was modernized and adapted to host short-term exhibitions, movie theaters, and educational activities, while still keeping the iconic pink façade that marks the neighborhood's landscape.
Useful Information
Address: Rua Cosme Velho, 1105 – Cosme Velho, Rio de Janeiro – RJ (Near the Corcovado Train station).
Official Website: https://casarobertomarinho.org.br/
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM (Admission allowed until 5:15 PM).
Access Conditions: Full price: R$ 10.00 | Half price: R$ 5.00. Free Admission: On Wednesdays, admission is free for the general public. The institute also offers free admission for children under 10, adults over 60, and public school students (check the full rules on the website).
Infrastructure: The venue has a café, a library specializing in art, and full accessibility for people with disabilities.
