The Ancient Art Museum founded in 1884 occupies the palace of the counts of Alvor, dating from the 18th century, and the old convent of s. Alberto. The chapel of the convent is a fine example of 18th century Portuguese Baroque art and architecture and is incorporated into the exhibits. This museum offers a very large collection of art work. One finds paintings, sculptures, decorative art dating from the 12th to 19th centuries by Portuguese artists, but also by foreign artists from the 14th - 19th century. In this museum you willl find the famous picture "Painéis de S. Vicente" a very important piece of Portuguese painting from the 15th century. But there are also other very important works of art. Among the foreign school paintings there is "Tentações of S. Antão" by Jêrome Bosh. One can also see the famous16th century Chinese folding screens, carpets, china, furniture, a collection of silverware including a French collection dating back to the 18th century.
- Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
The collection is composed of several pieces that come from all over the world and were gathered by Mr Gulbenkian. Through these pieces you can really see the evolution in art, from Classic Antiquity to the 20th century. Gulbenkian was Armenian and lived in Portugal for a long time. Before his death he donated his fortune to Portugal, a fortune made from petrol. Later the Calouste Gulbenkian foundation was created, it now includes the museum, the Modern Art Centre, an orchestra, a chorus, a ballet. The foundation also gives out scholarships to students, organizes exhibitions, conferences, interviews, funds itinerant libraries, and finances research. In the museum you will find antique art, oriental art, art from the Far-East and European art. As for European art, amoung others, you will find Renoir, Degas, Rodin, Manet, Rubens, Rembrandt. There is also a collection of contemporary art with pieces by René Lalique.
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Museu Gulbenkian |
Museu do Teatro |
- Theatre Museum
The National Theatre Museum was founded in 1985 and is located in the restored 18th century palace of Monteiro-Mor, situated in a park of the same name (Estrada do Lumiar). Containing some 300,000 items from the 18th century to the present day, they cover the full range of performing arts. Costumes, props, programmes, brochures and an archive of 25,000 photographs are just some of the many categories on display. The main building has a library of some 35,000 volumes, which is considered to be the most comprehensive on matters relating to the performing arts in Portugal. Temporary exhibitions are also staged.
- Costume Museum :
Also situated in a former palace, the 18th century Angeja-Palmela Palace in the Parque do Monteiro-Mor, the Museu Nacional do Traje exhibits over 30,000 items from all over Portugal and from various centuries. Textiles, accessories and clothing worn by aristocrats, politicians, poets, musicians and soldiers are on display including the articles left in Lisbon when the Royal Family departed for Brazil at the time of the French invasions. Contemporary fashions are also featured and there is a library specialising in the history of costume and accessories, fabrics, tapestries and textile techniques.
- City Museum
The compelling
Museu da Cidade
tells the story of Lisbon's long history through prehistoric, Roman, Visigothic, Moorish, and medieval remains. It is located in the 18th century Pimenta Palace, (on Campo Grande), built as a gift for King João V's mistress. Highlights include an enormous model of pre-earthquake Lisbon, maps and prints from before and after the quake (including a 17th-century painting showing Comecio Square before it was remodeled), and tile panels of city scenes. Also interesting are engravings of the Inquisition and of Catherine of Bragança departing from Lisbon to marry England's Charles II. There is also a lovely courtyard with peacocks wandering around.
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Museu da Cidade |
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