Marcos Martn Blanco and Elena Rueda began to acquire artworks in 1979. Over the years, the MER Foundation has gathered more than 800 works and includes important pieces from the best contemporary artists. The collection specialises in European and American figuration since 1980. This attention to figuration as a general trend from painting and photography, has led Marcos and Elena to seek the masterpieces of artists such as Eric Fischl, Francesco Clemente, David Salle, Cindy Sherman, Thomas Ruff, Marlen Dumas, Lisa Yuscavage, Merilyn Minter, Luis Gordillo and Cecily Brown.