MAC USP's Custody of Banco Santos Collection Ends After 15 Years with Auction for Creditors
In 2005, the Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Universidade de São Paulo (MAC USP) was entrusted with the art collection of Edemar Cid Ferreira, a former banker associated with the Banco Santos bankruptcy. For almost fifteen years, the museum has been responsible for the storage, conservation, research, and display of nearly 1,600 artworks. This year, the collection was auctioned to pay off creditors. The situation highlights MAC USP's roots, which are connected to the Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo (MAM-SP), established in 1948 by Ciccillo Matarazzo and moved to USP in 1963. Tadeu Chiarelli has criticized USP for failing to secure funding or compensation, suggesting this serves as a cautionary tale for public museums regarding reimbursement agreements for collections in their care.
Key facts
- The MAC USP held provisional custody of the Banco Santos collection from 2005 until its removal for auction in the current year.
- The collection comprised nearly 1,600 items including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and tapestries.
- The Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Universidade de São Paulo originated from the Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo, donated to USP by Ciccillo Matarazzo in 1963.
- Ciccillo Matarazzo founded the former MAM-SP in 1948 and later created the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo.
- The article is a column by Tadeu Chiarelli, who served as director of MAC USP from 2010 to 2014.
- In 2011, Chiarelli publicly warned about the risk of the Banco Santos collection dispersing from the public institution.
- The University of São Paulo accepted custody of the collection without securing dedicated funds or works as compensation for the museum.
- The text argues public institutions must ensure they gain a dividend for the community after provisional custody periods.
Entities
Artists
- Tadeu Chiarelli
- Ciccillo Matarazzo
- Yolanda Penteado
- Max Bill
- Maria Martins
- Barbara Hepworth
- Karel Appel
- Fritz Winter
- Lygia Clark
- Helouise Costa
Institutions
- Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Universidade de São Paulo (MAC USP)
- Banco Santos
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
- Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo (MAM-SP)
- Fundação Bienal de São Paulo
- Poder Judiciário
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil