The Home of Guillermo Tovar de Teresa

Guillermo Tovar de TeresaMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

Guillermo Tovar de Teresa (1956–2013) was a Mexican historian, and a promoter and defender of Ibero-American cultural heritage.

Guillermo Tovar de TeresaMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

A chronicler of Mexico City, child prodigy, and committed collector, he dedicated himself to historical and artistic research.

La Sagrada Familia con Santa Catalina by Luis JuárezMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

At 12 years of age, he became an adviser on viceregal art for the Presidency of the Republic of Mexico.

Cuadro de Comedor (1864) by José Agustín ArrietaMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

Guillermo Tovar saw collecting as an exercise in selection: it required good judgment and understanding of the symbolic significance of objects.

Fachada Valladolid 52Museo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

In 1995, he purchased a Porfirian mansion (from the period when General Porfirio Díaz ruled Mexico) at 52 Calle Valladolid, in the Colonia Roma area of Mexico City. He lived there from 1997 until his death in 2013.

Casa Guillermo Tovar de Teresa (2018) by Agustín GarzaMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

With a facade that is attributed to Gustavo Peñasco, its interior was designed by engineer Manuel Francisco Álvarez in 1911. The architecture is typical of single-family living spaces from the end of the Porfiriato era.

Casa Guillermo Tovar de Teresa (2018) by Agustín GarzaMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

Roberto J. Álvarez lived there in 1911 and it was soon sold to the family of Manuel González, who was president of Mexico from 1880 to 1884.

La Plaza de México antes de la Independencia (1797) by Rafael Jimeno y Planes. Grabador José Joaquín FabregatMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

Casa Guillermo Tovar de Teresa (2018) by Agustín GarzaMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

Every room was renovated in 19th-century style, with objects from New Spain and Mexico.

Retrato de madre e hija con miniaturas by Anónimo MexicanoMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

The focal point in the Yellow Room is the oil painting of a mother and daughter wearing imperial-style clothing.

Retrato de Caballero by Anónimo MexicanoMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

The miniature that can be seen in the painting became part of Guillermo Tovar de Teresa's collection some time afterward.

Casa Guillermo Tovar de Teresa (2018) by Agustín GarzaMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

A room full of marvels lined with damask, it is one of the most regal sitting rooms in the house, with viceregal works dating from the 16th to the 18th century.

Casa Guillermo Tovar de Teresa (2018) by Agustín GarzaMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

Each room offers a glimpse into history through reference and feeling: mysticism, devotion, and a deep respect for Mexican history.

Virgen Inmaculada by Baltazar de Echave RiojaMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

El Arcángel San Rafael by Miguel CabreraMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

The most distinguished artists come together in this collection, including Pereyns, Lagarto, Juárez, Echave Rioja, Cabrera, Páez, Rugendas, Pingret, and Arrieta.

San Francisco en éxtasis acompañado por ángeles (1700/1800) by Escuela NovohispanaMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

This was one of the first works to join Guillermo Tovar's collection. As he lacked the space to put this large piece on display, he decided to sell it. At the end of his life, he managed to recover it.

Casa Guillermo Tovar de Teresa (2018) by Agustín GarzaMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

His libraries, photograph compilations, and archives make up one of the most important collections in Latin America, now digitalized by the Carlos Slim Foundation. More than 20 million volumes offer an insight into Guillermo Tovar's interests.

Autorretrato (1852) by Edouard Henri Theophile PingretMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

A self-portrait by Édouard Henri Théophile Pingret (1788–1875) is one of the most important oil paintings in the gallery.

Retrato de Don Juan de Palafox y Mendoza (1764) by Miguel CabreraMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

Virrey Agustín Ahumada de Villalón by Escuela NovohispanaMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

PegasoMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

Tovar de Teresa identified the Pegasus as a symbol and emblem of New Spanish creole society—part Mesoamerican, part Spanish; a cultural melting pot.

Jesús despojado de sus vestiduras by Simon de PereynsMuseo Soumaya.Fundación Carlos Slim

Guillermo de Tovar de Teresa died on November 10, 2013.
Today, his legacy is shared by Museo Soumaya, Carlos Slim Foundation.

Credits: Story

Casa Guillermo Tovar de Teresa. Fundación Carlos Slim.

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