Guayasamín House Museum, a Symbol of Eternal Brotherhood

Since 1961, Havana witnessed the bond and close friendship that united Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamín, when the latter arrived for the first time in the Cuban capital to paint a portrait of the highest leader of the rising Revolution.

The pictorial scene would be repeated three more times: in 1981, 1986, and 1996. Guayasamín’s deep admiration for the Cuban Revolution touched his noble spirit and creative talent, and sealed a friendship of indestructible ties between both men.

Fidel acknowledged: «Guayasamín was perhaps the most remarkable, transparent, and humane person I have ever known. He created at the speed of light, and his dimension as a human being had no limits.»

This giant of the arts intended to paint a portrait of Fidel every five years because he believed it was impossible to recreate, in a single painting, all the nuances and facets of the revolutionary leader.

The beautiful legacy of the Ecuadorian artist transcended frontiers and reached Havana, where he has always been welcomed with affection and pleasure, especially since January 8, 1993, when the Guayasamín House was founded and turned into a Museum-Gallery, which opened its doors to the public on January 18 of the same month.

There, at Calle Obrapía 111, in Old Havana, the life and work of the outstanding painter are described; a treasure jealously kept in the old 18th-century mansion, restored by him and the City Historian’s Office.

Three permanent exhibition halls show visitors a wide selection of personal objects and original works of the renowned master of the plastic arts, which he donated to Cuba for the enjoyment of the Cuban people, in addition to numerous pieces representative of Latin American culture.

Reserved for the upper floor of the House, the private space of the painter is preserved, precisely where he had located his creative workshop. Another area is reserved for conferences, video screenings, and temporary exhibitions of Cuban and foreign artists.

Other aspects of Guayasamín’s work, such as engravings, jewelry, and decorative objects, are also on display. He knew how to capture the essence of the Latin American spirit from his humility and transparency, fusing the strength of the indigenous theme with the avant-garde pictorial expressions of the last century.

He also managed to capture the image of the oppressed, the rejected, and the denunciation of injustice and discrimination against black people. It is no coincidence that in 1999 he was awarded the title of Painter of Ibero-America.

With special affection and respect, the legacy of this exceptional man of Our America and his creations, love, and support for Cuba and the Revolution, his sincere friendship with Fidel, and his solidarity with the world will be forever remembered in the memory of Cubans. Two of the portraits, made by this outstanding artist of Fidel, those of 1981 and 1996, such as the one dedicated to Raúl Castro, are on display in the House Museum.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Guayasamín House Museum, various activities will take place, including the opening of new exhibitions, the presentation of awards, and meetings with friends of the distinguished artist and regular visitors to the venue. A permanent light always seems to welcome visitors.