MATE - Museo Mario Testino

MATE, the Museo Mario Testino, is a non-profit cultural institution located in the Barranco District of Lima, Peru. Founded in 2012 by the internationally renowned Peruvian fashion photographer Mario Testino, it serves as a dual-purpose platform: a permanent showcase for Testino's own photographic work and a dynamic venue for international contemporary art and emerging Peruvian talent. Pronounced 'mAH-teh,' the museum has established itself as a significant cultural actor in Lima's creative landscape, dedicated to stimulating local creative industries while fostering dialogue between Peruvian and global art communities.

Mario Testino established MATE in 2012 as a not-for-profit organization, choosing Lima over major international art capitals in a deliberate gesture of cultural investment in his homeland. The museum emerged from Testino's desire to give back to Peru after decades of global success, creating an institution that would bridge the gap between Peruvian art and international audiences. From its inception, MATE was conceived not merely as a repository for Testino's photography but as an active catalyst for cultural exchange. The museum's non-profit structure ensures that all funds raised support educational and cultural programs aimed at developing and promoting the arts within Peru.

The permanent collection is organized across eight rooms that explore distinctive elements of Testino's photographic practice, including the complex choreography of his group portraits and his ability to capture diverse global cultures while balancing traditionalism with creativity. The collection features his celebrated portraiture of major fashion models and cultural figures. Beyond the permanent display, MATE maintains an active temporary exhibition program in its Temporal I and MATE Lab spaces, presenting national and international artists with emphasis on local production and collaboration. The museum also facilitates residencies, events, guided tours, workshops, and talks as part of its expanding education program.

Two signature thematic rooms anchor the permanent collection. The Alta Moda room presents an ongoing research project manifested in portraits of dancers from Cusco wearing traditional costumes, for which Testino drew inspiration from the Cusco photographer Martín Chambi, adopting the contrasting backgrounds characteristic of Chambi's work. The Diana room is dedicated to Testino's 1997 portraits of Diana, Princess of Wales, her last official portraits before her death, published in Vanity Fair in July 1997. These photographs were taken on the occasion of the costume auction Diana organized with Christie's. The room also displays a replica of one of the auctioned costumes, donated by Donatella Versace, along with furniture originally made for Testino's 2005 exhibition at Kensington Palace. The MATE Lab functions as a flexible mixed-use space for varied proposals, exhibitions, projections, experimental projects, workshops, and activities by invited artists, designers, and creators.

MATE is housed in a restored mansion built in 1898 by engineer Mateo Pagano, exemplifying the typical single-level rectangular adobe construction of Barranco's historic ranchos. By 2011, when diagnostic work began, the building had deteriorated though its original structure remained intact. Peruvian architect Augusto de Cossío led a ten-month restoration beginning in October 2011, repairing and strengthening original adobe walls, restoring interior carpentry, and reproducing friezes and ornamental cornices. The lighting design recreated the original position of ceiling lamps. The historical restoration was executed by the specialized professional team of the Escuela Taller de Lima and art sculptors from the Escuela Autónoma de Bellas Artes, using traditional adobe techniques. Complementing the renovation, a new adjacent building was constructed at the rear of the property, housing an exhibition gallery and Bodega MATE, with contemporary furniture harmonized to the original architecture. The restored mansion was completed in July 2012.

MATE is situated in the Barranco District, a historically significant seaside resort area that has evolved into a flourishing cultural quarter of Lima. The museum's location reflects its mission to engage with local artistic community while attracting international visitors. As a not-for-profit institution, MATE offers guided tours, workshops, and talks to broaden access to its programs. The museum's website, www.mate.pe, provides additional information for visitors. The Bodega MATE serves as the museum's boutique, functioning as a platform for Peruvian and Latin American design featuring over 50 designers and artists from 11 regional countries, with the specific authorization to sell original Mario Testino photographs. In August 2019, Bodega MATE expanded to a second location at the Larcomar shopping center.