Yet critics in the Mexican art world still believe Slim is more of a bargain hunter than an aesthete.

WSJ: Emperor's New Museum | Museo Soumaya

Slim's eye over the art market is keen to spot deals, too.

WSJ: Emperor's New Museum | Museo Soumaya

On a recent to trip to Mexico City I was anxious to check out the almost 70, 000 pieces of art, coins and relics belonging to Mr. Slim, including the largest casts of sculptures by Rodin outside of France.

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With remarkable magnification power in combination with 14-megapixel resolution, the super-slim SZ-12 is packed with state-of-the-art Olympus technology that delivers excellent image quality.

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On an office wall is a work of art given to him by an aging friend with "too much time on his hands, " Slim says.

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The majority of the population here will never have the means to travel to international museums to view paintings and sculptors by the masters and Mr. Slim has provided a venue, with free admission, for all those interested in the art world to have these pieces within easy reach.

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