Franz Mayer Museum: origin, history and present situation of a cultural institution dedicated to decorative arts and design

Abstract

This overview is devoted to the Franz Mayer Museum
(MFM), an institution that exists thanks to Franz Mayer,
a German collector and bibliophile, who later became a
Mexican citizen. In the 1970s, he donated his collection
of decorative art and books to Mexico through a Cultural
Trust, managed by the Bank of Mexico. This contribution
analyzes the origins, history and present situation of the
MFM which, since opening its doors in 1986 to date, has
become an important reference point in Mexico’s museological
and cultural circles.