Xul Solar’s artistic legacy is preserved and available to the public in the museum that bears his name. The Xul Solar Museum invites us to learn more than just his artistic work: it also allows you to measure the intelligence and creative capacity that an artist like Xul Solar can have.
Do you think that artists only dedicate themselves to painting pretty pictures? At the Xul Solar Museum you will see that they are much more than that. If we take into account that Jorge Luis Borges himself has praised it, then it means that Xul Solar’s letter of introduction is more than approved.
Here we offer you some notes about the Xul Solar Museum so that you can learn about the life, work and mind of one of the most brilliant artists and intellectuals in Argentina.
Xul Solar Museum (Buenos Aires): Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit
What is the Xul Solar Museum?
The Xul Solar Museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting the work of Argentine artist Alejandro Xul Solar, aiming to develop and support culture in various aspects. The museum was founded in 1986 by Micaela (Lita) Cadenas, Xul Solar’s wife, and Natalio J. Povarché, his art dealer, who decided to establish the museum according to the artist’s original plans, as conceived in the late 1930s.
The museum officially opened on May 13, 1993, showcasing works selected by Xul Solar himself. These pieces make up the museum’s permanent exhibition, along with objects, sculptures, and documents from his personal archive. The space also functions as a cultural center, hosting cultural events and temporary exhibitions dedicated to the artist. Additionally, the museum preserves Xul Solar’s personal residence, which houses his library of approximately 3,500 volumes.
The renovation project that transformed Xul Solar’s home into the current museum has received several awards. In 1998, it was a semifinalist in the Mies van der Rohe Award for Latin America, which recognizes contemporary Latin American architecture. In 2003, it received the Década 2003 Award from the University of Palermo, with architect Oscar Tusquets Blanca serving as a jury member.
The Museum Shop
The Xul Solar Museum features a shop offering items inspired by the artist’s work and philosophy. Here, you can find everything from simple notebooks and pens to books and publications about Xul Solar’s life and art.
Why Was Xul Solar So Important?
Xul Solar (Oscar Agustín Alejandro Schulz Solari) was known for his multifaceted character, with deep interests in astrology, the occult sciences, languages, and mythology.
He was a close friend of Jorge Luis Borges, who helped bring Xul Solar’s work to a broader audience.
Xul Solar mastered approximately twenty languages and even created two constructed languages: Panlengua and Neocriollo. He also invented Panajedrez, a chess variant with additional squares linked to constellations and zodiac signs, and a piano keyboard with three rows of colored and textured keys, featuring a six-note musical scale.
Xul Solar’s insatiable curiosity led him to explore various fields of knowledge, including mathematics, biology, metaphysics, architecture, music, Persian and Arabic scripts, Muslim religions, alchemy, and Buddhism. His personal library contained over three thousand titles, reflecting his broad intellectual pursuits.
The Artistic Side of Xul Solar
Xul Solar’s paintings are more fantastical than surreal, often created on small or medium-sized formats using watercolor or tempera, and experimenting with unconventional surfaces such as cardboard, wood, and glass.
His early works were rich in symbolism and characterized by schematic drawing. Starting in 1918 and more prominently from 1923, he began incorporating architectural motifs, geometric compositions, and human figures. In the mid-1920s, he started using symbols such as signs, letters, flags, religious icons, and numbers.
Throughout his artistic career, Xul Solar also explored themes of mood and mystical or imaginary landscapes.
Admission to the Xul Solar Museum is very affordable, and the museum is open from 12 PM to 8 PM.
Where is the Xul Solar Museum?
The Xul Solar Museum is located at Laprida 1212, between Charcas and Mansilla, in the Palermo neighborhood.
Just a few blocks from the museum is Santa Fe Avenue, while to the south is Córdoba Avenue, and to the east is Pueyrredón Avenue.
Although this area is not the most touristy part of Palermo, it provides easy access to other interesting areas for tourism, shopping, or dining, especially to the northeast, where much of Palermo Viejo is located, followed by the Palermo Soho and Hollywood areas.
How to Get to the Xul Solar Museum?
The quickest and simplest way to reach the Xul Solar Museum is by subway. The D line of the Buenos Aires subway has a station on Santa Fe Avenue between Pueyrredón Avenue and Ecuador Street. From there, you only need to walk three blocks to reach the museum.
Alternatively, you can take one of the many buses that service the area around the museum. Since this is a central part of Buenos Aires, numerous bus lines operate there: 12, 29, 39, 64, 68, 92, 106, 109, 111, 128, 140, 152, 188.
If you prefer to travel by bicycle, you can take advantage of the exclusive bike lanes to reach the museum. There’s even a dedicated bike lane on Mansilla Street, just a few meters from the museum on Laprida Street.
Why Visit the Xul Solar Museum?
Explore the Artistic Legacy of Xul Solar
You’ll have the opportunity to closely examine the work of one of Argentina’s most significant artists. You’ll see how his artwork evolved, starting with simple drawings and progressing to more complex designs incorporating numbers, symbols, and figures.
Xul Solar’s unconventional style, combined with his endless creativity, encourages a deeper appreciation of his creations.
Appreciate the Talent of Xul Solar
Beyond his artistic creations, Xul Solar was a polymath with extensive knowledge across various fields. Not only did he master around twenty languages, but his personal library contained over three thousand titles.
This vast cultural background is evident not only in Xul Solar’s artworks but also in his inventions, including new languages, board games, and even a musical instrument.
Additionally, Xul Solar’s legacy has a strong esoteric and astrological component, which attracts many people interested in these subjects.
Visit the Gift Shop
Make sure to stop by the Xul Solar Museum’s gift shop, where you can pick up a souvenir or object to remember your visit.
You can also purchase publications about Xul Solar to gain a deeper understanding of this iconic artist and intellectual.
(Featured Image Source: Secretaría de Cultura/flickr.com)
