BIENAL ARCHIVE
Research support
The collection of the Arquivo Histórico Wanda Svevo is made up of vast documentation produced and gathered by the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo, the Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo and its founder, Francisco Matarazzo Sobrinho, and is available for consultation in person or online.
If you have any queries, please contact: arquivo.historico@bienal.org.br
Online database
A collection of more than 250,000 records, including documents from funds and collections, images, works, artists and events.
Arquivo Histórico Wanda Svevo
Conceived in 1955 by Wanda Svevo, then General Secretary of MAM-SP, to support the Bienal, the Bienal Archive set out on a mission to become a reference center for art in the 20th century. Listed in 1993 by Condephaat as a cultural asset of historical interest, due to the content of its collection, the archive is operating through the integrated treatment of its documentation. The criteria adopted for its organization are based on the history of the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo and the events it organizes, highlighting their origin, production process and activities. In recognition of the importance of this collection, the Wanda Svevo Historical Archive was listed by CONDEPHAAT (Resolution SC-16/1993) and CONPRESP (Resolution No. 24/2017), and is considered one of the main tangible and intangible heritage sites for the memory of the city of São Paulo.
Funds
Francisco Matarazzo Sobrinho
Documentation from 1880 to 1981
Documents from the former Centro Cultural Francisco Matarazzo Sobrinho. Includes personal and administrative documents relating to his activities at MAM-SP, Fundação Bienal and other institutions.
MAM
Documentation from 1948 to 1965
The creation and activities developed by the Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo in its early years, including the development of the first editions of the Bienal to the creation of the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo.
Fundação Bienal de São Paulo
Documentation from 1962 to nowadays
The Bienal de São Paulo and other events and exhibitions promoted by the Fundação. Includes artist registration forms, photographs, plans, posters and administrative documentation.
Collections
Artists' Dossiers
Documentation related to artists, architects, curators, critics and art historians.
Art Themes Dossiers
Documentation related to art in general, cultural institutions, galleries, etc.
Library
A collection formed from curatorial research for the art and architecture biennials, as well as exchanges and donations from other institutions. It includes titles on art history and criticism, art education, catalogs of artists, art biennials, exhibitions and major national and international shows.