MATE – Museo Mario Testino

Overview

MATE (Museo Mario Testino – Asociación para las Artes) is a photography museum founded by the internationally renowned Peruvian photographer Mario Testino. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century Barranco mansion, it showcases high-fashion and portrait photography alongside Peruvian cultural projects.

Highlights

• Alta Moda Series: Testino's celebrated photographs of Peruvian highland communities wearing traditional dress — a fusion of fashion photography and cultural documentation.
• Rotating Exhibitions: Shows feature both Testino's own work and guest photographers from around the world.
• Mansion Architecture: The restored casa has maintained its original tilework, courtyard, and colonial details.

History

Mario Testino, born in Lima in 1954, became one of the world's most sought-after fashion photographers. He founded MATE in 2012 to give back to his home city, restoring the mansion and creating a cultural anchor for Barranco's evolving art scene.

Visitor Tips

• Photography Allowed: Photos are permitted in most exhibition areas.
• Gift Shop: An excellent selection of photography books and Peruvian-designed items.
• Duration: 45 minutes–1 hour.