In 1921, to commemorate the centenary of the proclamation of independence of Peru, the society of Italian immigrants led by Don Gino Saloci donated a lot of money on the organization of the Museum of Italian art in Lima. The building project was commissioned by the Milanese architect Gaetano Moretti, and selection of exhibits for the Museum commissioned art criticism Mario vannini hospital, Parenti.

The official presentation of the Museum and its collections was held on 11 November 1923. In the design and decorative elements of the building noticeable influence of Italian art of the past: the architecture of Bramante, reliefs and decorative details inspired by the works of Donatello, Ghiberti, Michelangelo and Botticelli. On the building's facade are two giant mosaic depicting the most famous historical figures of Italy.

The Museum presents the work of contemporary artists from all regions of Italy. Consultant of the Museum - the famous Italian writer, art critic and journalist Hugo Ojetti acquired the nearly 200 works for the Museum, including sculptures, paintings, engravings, drawings and ceramics of the more than 100 Italian artists. Thus, the Museum of Italian art in Lima becomes a unique repository of contemporary Italian art of the XX century, and this despite the absence of the collection of works in the style of avant-garde. In 1989 and 1990 the Museum's collection were added to 35.

In 1972, the Museum was transferred under the management of the National Institute of culture (since 2010 by the Ministry of culture of Peru). Museum staff make great efforts to preserve the collection for posterity. All the work done so far work has been possible thanks to the constant cooperation with the Embassy of Italy and the invaluable assistance of patrons of the Museum of Italian art.

It is worth noting that this is the only Museum in the country with a collection of more than 200 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and ceramics of the Italian artists. In 1974, the Museum of Italian art in Lima was declared a cultural patrimony of Peru.