It is recognizable by Manuel Tolsá's large equestrian statue of Charles IV of Spain, who was the monarch just before Mexico gained its independence.

The museum was founded in 1982 as the Museo Nacional de Arte, and re-inaugurated in 2000, after reopening its doors to the public as MUNAL after intense remodeling and technical upgrades to the facility.

In the early part of the 20th century, the government hired Italian architect Silvio Contri to design and build this "palace" to house the Secretariat of Communications and Public Works, with the intention to show Mexico's commitment to modernization.

It is profusely decorated with precious metal and crystal ornaments as well as allegorical murals dedicated to themes such as science, the arts, liberty, history, work and progress.

This hall became the preferred place for President Porfirio Díaz to perform public declarations and receive dignitaries from abroad.

[3] Today almost all of the building is used to house the permanent collection of MUNAL with the Reception Hall and the Patio de los Leones used for events such as concerts, book-signings and press conferences.

[4][5] The museum's permanent collection is designed to give a panoramic view of the development of the fine arts in Mexico from the early colonial period to the mid-twentieth century.

[7] The collection of art from the colonial period is entitled "Asimilación de occidente" (Assimilation of the West) and are contained within Salons 1–14 on the second floor.

The last time period is titled "Estrategías plásticas para un México moderno" (Strategies for the fine arts in modern Mexico) and house in Salons 27–33 on the first floor.