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[title]Nestled among vineyards at the foot of the Andes Mountains stands the manor that houses the only murals ever painted by Fernando Fader—works that remained hidden from the public for decades. The Emiliano Guiñazú Museum – Casa de Fader is much more than a fine arts museum: it is a testament to a bygone era, to Fernando’s talent, and to a love story etched into every corner of the house.
At the end of the 19th century, landowner Emiliano Guiñazú purchased the abandoned estate, surrounded by a vineyard in Luján de Cuyo—today home to renowned restaurants—to transform it into his summer residence. The rural-style house was restored by Emiliano and his wife, Narcisa Araujo, with zinc roofs, wooden and mosaic floors, carved cedar woodwork with frosted glass panels bearing Guiñazú’s initials. Iron latticework was added to the windows and cast iron columns adorned the galleries. The couple also had a striking indoor pool built, lined with Italian majolica tiles, and a cellar used for wine storage. As with most grand houses in Mendoza at the time, the interior décor featured imported European furniture and ornaments. At the entrance, an iron gate displays the family initials and the year 1895—still preserved to this day.
Who was Fernando Fader?
The family often hosted prominent gatherings of Mendoza’s high society. But in 1904, art entered the story of the manor with the arrival of Fernando Fader. Born in France to engineer Carlos Fader and Viscountess Celia de Bonneval, he arrived in Mendoza with his family in 1886. Carlos Fader pioneered oil exploration in the Cacheuta region of Mendoza’s foothills. Fernando’s 1905 painting “Sunset in Cacheuta” depicts the landscape where those first oil wells were drilled—it was auctioned at Sotheby’s New York in 1991.
His childhood was split between Mendoza and Europe due to the family’s frequent travels. His formative years in Munich between 1900 and 1904 were crucial, as he engaged in philosophical and theoretical art discussions, during which he came to appreciate the unique Argentine landscape and its light.
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An art enthusiast, Guiñazú commissioned Fader to decorate the house, and the artist left his mark on every wall: “Countryside Scene” and “Horseback Ride” adorn the front gallery, while in the indoor pool room, the murals “The Bathers,” “Boat Ride,” and “The Herons” showcase his gift for capturing the captivating Argentine light.
During this time, Fader met Adela, Guiñazú’s eldest daughter. Their romance blossomed amid paintbrushes and landscapes, and the couple eventually married in the manor’s garden, in a celebration attended by members of Mendoza’s political, cultural, and aristocratic circles.
When was the Emiliano Guiñazú – Casa de Fader Museum restored?
After Fernando and Adela’s wedding, Emiliano and Narcisa traveled to Europe, but in 1907, Emiliano passed away in Seville. Some time later, Narcisa honored his final wish by donating the house to the Mendoza government to become the Provincial Museum of Fine Arts, which opened in 1951.
Over the years, the house deteriorated, and various administrations covered Fader’s murals with layers of pressed cardboard, burlap, and paint. Only the murals surrounding the indoor pool remained untouched.
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In 2016, a restoration team—made up mostly of women—revived the artistic wealth of the house. A surprise came in 2017 with the discovery of an unknown mural in a hallway, hidden beneath layers of paint. Initially believed to be Fader’s, later studies suggest it predates his arrival, possibly painted by a European artist.
A legacy that transcends time
Fader was part of the Nexus group alongside artists like Collivadino, Ripamonte, Bernaldo de Quirós, and Emilio Caraffa. His work straddled Impressionism and Academicism.
However, his life took an unexpected turn. Driven by his passion for engineering, he invested his entire fortune in a hydraulic company that ultimately led to bankruptcy. Shortly after, tuberculosis forced him to seek the dry climate of Córdoba, where he settled in Loza Corral.
Today, the Emiliano Guiñazú – Casa de Fader Museum houses much of Fader’s work and a collection of 1,700 pieces by various international artists. It also preserves the only murals ever painted by the artist.
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The museum is surrounded by a French-style park, with a geometric layout of cypress trees forming open-air labyrinths. The Fader gardens also serve as exhibition spaces, permanently showcasing various sculptures, many of them replicas of European works.
The revival of a Mendocino treasure
Declared a Provincial Heritage Site in 1998, the Emiliano Guiñazú – Casa de Fader Museum is a symbol of Mendocino art and history. During restoration, some wall sections were intentionally left exposed to reveal the different hidden paint layers. The original cement tile floors were repaired and completed, and the cast iron columns in the main hall—also previously hidden—were restored, along with other major structural and architectural works.
Today, visitors to the museum can relive its former glory, marvel at its murals, and lose themselves in the gardens that once hosted lavish parties, art, and lively gatherings.
Where: San Martín 3651.