HISTORY

The colonial building dates back to 1744. It was used as mansion by its owner María Gertrudis Alberro Peñalver. Major transformations were made in the building, when it became the property of Don José María Chacón, the Lieutenent in the Royal Navy, in 1792. He realized an important change at the facade, ceilings, and walls, adding a watchtower to the building. When he sold it to the merchant Mariano Carbó in 1796, the splendid house was approximately similar to the current view. In 1832 the building was sold to Marquesa de Santa Alalla. In 1980s some shops were occupying the ground floor, whereas six families were living in a small space on the upper floor. After a thorough restoration process, the building was inaugurated in honor to the Ecuadorean painter Oswaldo Guayasamín (1919-1999) as Casa Oswaldo Guayasamín in 1992. Fidel Castro’s close friend Oswaldo Guayasamín that had great contribution in the restoration of the building, was present at the opening ceremony.

Oswaldo Guayasamín used this house as a studio in the last six years of his life. It is said that in this period, he never spent the night in the house, preferring to share his time with his close friends instead of submerging in the solitude that reigned in the property. When he died in 1999 at the age of 80, the house was converted into a museum.

THE MUSEUM

The two-storey building has a rectangular shape. The black color of the wide gate and the balcony at the upper floor, extending along the facade, together with the blue color of the windows are in contrast with the pastel color of the facade, but it gives a clean look to the building. At the right side of the entrance a plaque is nailed on the wall, containing a sentence of the painter: “mantengan encendida una luz, que siempre voy a volver (keep a light on that, I will always return)”. At the entree a large black and white photograph of the painter, taken in front of his paintings in his studio, welcomes the visitors. Just at its side you will read another sentence of the painter: “no creo en fronteras, ni in rezas, creo en la humanidad (I do not believe in borders, nor in prayers, I believe in humanity)”.

The wooden sculpture of Rumiñahui is accompanied by the flags of Cuba and Ecuador. Rumiñahui is an Incan hero that fought against the invasion of the Spanish in Quito in the 16th century. He was introverted, severe, strong, agile and authoritarian, and because of his appearance he was given the name Rumiñahui that meant Stone Eye in Quechua language. His eyes were infusing hardness and a relentless character. It is the work of Oswaldo Guayasamín. It stands on a wooden pedestal, and a sentence of the painter is written on a plaque: “a fidel con admiración de Guayasamín (to fidelity with admiration of Guayasamín)”.

The central courtyard occupies rather a large area, enriched by the paintings of the artist and some sculptures, including the big bust of Guayasamín. There is an open classroom for the grammar school children at the back of the courtyard.