The Nahim Isaias Museum offers an insight to the history and past of Guayaquil. It has around 2,500 pieces in its collection, ranging from painterly and sculptural works from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries to republican art from the 19th century. It shows the theme of colonial cosmogony (based on the four elements: fire, earth, water and air). The wonderful art of the famous colonial art school of Quito (Escuela Quiteña de Arte Colonial) which was characterised by its religiosity at that time.