MINCULTURA commemorated the birth of Arturo Michelena and the 63rd anniversary of his Casa Museo

Published at: 17/06/2026 08:32 AM

The National Pantheon was the stage where the 163rd anniversary of the birth of Arturo Michelena and the 63rd anniversary of the founding of his House-Museum, located in the parish of La Pastora, were commemorated.

The ceremony, held in the sacred patriotic enclosure where the remains of the Valencian man rest, was attended by Mary Pemjean, Deputy Minister of the Arts of the Image and Space of the Ministry of Popular Power for Culture; Clemente Martínez, executive director of the National Museums Foundation; and José Dávila, director of the Arturo Michelena House-Museum, accompanied by the staff of that museum institution.

During their interventions, the authorities highlighted the historical significance of the painter born on June 16, 1863, who did not limit himself to portraying national history, but acted as a visionary capable of connecting Venezuela with the European aesthetic avant-garde, an endeavor that raised Michelena's international prestige. In addition, they highlighted the value of their pictorial heritage, materialized in immortal canvases such as Miranda in La Carraca.

For her part, Deputy Minister Mary Pemjean recalled that the Arturo Michelena House-Museum was reopened last year, an act that consolidated it as the space that houses a wide collection of the creations of this plastic master. At the same time, he emphasized that his legacy is still alive and accessible to the entire population.

The authorities also agreed that the artist's life and work continue to be an inexhaustible source of inspiration for creators, researchers and art lovers. It was noted that, especially towards the end of her short but fruitful life, Michelena experienced a constant metamorphosis, transcending impeccable academicism to find in still life, spontaneous drawing and domestic intimacy a new language focused on light and truth.

The authorities ratified the Arturo Michelena House-Museum as a fundamental meeting point with memory, creativity and the country's cultural heritage.

MINCULTURE