Monument to bribery

Monument to bribery is an Art Deco sculpture on the facade of the former Ministry of Public Works building in Buenos Aires. The installation features two stone figures on the second level: one holds a chest while the other displays an open palm.

The sculpture was installed in 1936 as an integral part of the building, which was Argentina's first high-rise at the time. The work emerged during a period when corruption problems in major infrastructure projects were particularly acute.

The two stone figures embody an artistic critique of corruption practices that were widespread during construction projects in the 1930s. Visitors passing by notice the subtle message conveyed through the gestures and positioning of the figures.

The sculpture is visible from Avenida 9 de Julio and sits on the facade of the current Health Ministry building. The figures are best observed from a distance since they are positioned high on the wall.

This depiction is the only known worldwide example of bribery directly embedded into the architecture of a government building. Such an artistic choice was unusually bold for a public structure of that era.

Location: Buenos Aires

Inception: 1936

Architectural style: Art Deco

Part of: Ministry of Public Works Building

GPS coordinates: -34.61215,-58.38136

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52