Museu do Pontal: A Celebration of Brazilian Folk Art

Museu do Pontal is a treasure trove of Brazilian folk art, the result of French designer Jacques Van de Beuque's 45 years of research and collecting across Brazil. The museum's collection showcases the creativity and cultural richness of the Brazilian people, with works dating back to the 20th century. The museum's collection includes sculptures, paintings, and other art forms that depict various aspects of Brazilian life, such as religion, work, and leisure. The pieces often reflect the cultural and social aspects of the Brazilian Northeast, including themes like drought, migration, and the "cangaço". A significant portion of the collection also represents Afro-Brazilian culture. Relocated to Barra da Tijuca in October 2021, the Museu do Pontal now resides in a modern building surrounded by 10,000 square meters of green space designed by the Burle Marx Office. The new location offers ample space for exhibitions, a cafeteria, and a shop, as well as stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The museum provides free internet access to visitors. Jacques Van de Beuque, a French designer who made Brazil his home after World War II, began collecting local folk art in the 1950s. He initially displayed his collection in a house in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, creating a space that felt more like a home than a traditional museum. The relocation to Barra da Tijuca was prompted by frequent flooding that threatened the collection.