Name: Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Address: Av. de Berna 45A, 1067-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Telephone: 21 782 3000
Rating: 4.7

Displays of art from Greek to Roman & Asian to European, plus gardens, shop & restaurant.

Praça do Comércio

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Belém Tower

National Palace of Pena

Oceanário de Lisboa

Castelo de S. Jorge

The Gulbenkian Museum showcases the vast and diverse collection of Calouste Gulbenkian, a wealthy Armenian oil magnate who amassed a treasure trove of art and artifacts throughout his life.

A Personal Collection

The museum complex consists of four buildings, each housing different aspects of the collection. The main building features the Gulbenkian Collection, while the Modern Art Center showcases contemporary works.

Museum Buildings

The museum boasts a remarkable collection of ancient artifacts, including Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern pieces, offering a glimpse into the past.

Ancient Wonders

The Gulbenkian Museum houses a significant collection of Islamic art, showcasing the beauty and craftsmanship of this rich cultural heritage.

A Tapestry of Cultures

The museum features works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Renoir, Manet, and Van Gogh, providing a captivating journey through art history.

Art History Highlights

The Modern Art Center within the museum complex showcases a diverse collection of modern and contemporary art, reflecting the evolution of artistic styles.

Contemporary Expressions

The museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens, offering a tranquil escape from the bustling city and a perfect setting for contemplation.

Serene Surroundings

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon stands apart not only for the breadth of its collection, but also for the deliberate way Calouste Gulbenkian himself curated it, envisioning its eventual display. Unlike many museums assembled through acquisition committees, this collection reflects the singular taste and discerning eye of one individual. The museum uniquely blends Eastern and Western art, showcasing Gulbenkian's fascination with both. Its Art Nouveau jewelry collection, particularly the pieces by René Lalique, is considered one of the finest in the world, often overshadowing the equally impressive collection of classical art. A lesser-known aspect is Gulbenkian's personal involvement in the museum's design, influencing everything from the lighting to the placement of individual objects, ensuring that each piece is presented in its most favorable light. The museum's gardens, designed in harmony with the building, offer a tranquil counterpoint to the richness within, reflecting Gulbenkian's desire for a holistic aesthetic experience.

Introduction

The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon stands as a testament to Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian's extraordinary vision and passion for art. Founded after his death, the museum embodies his legacy as a collector with exceptional taste and a global perspective. Gulbenkian's early interest in art, influenced by his travels and family origins, led him to amass a unique and eclectic collection of over 6,000 pieces from around the world.

His strong character and discerning eye enabled him to acquire masterpieces from various cultures and historical periods, including Egyptian sculpture, Asian ceramics, Islamic art, European paintings, and René Lalique jewelry. Despite facing challenges in preserving his collection and avoiding taxes, Gulbenkian's determination to keep his art intact led to the creation of the museum in Lisbon.

The Gulbenkian Museum, which opened in 1969, fulfills Gulbenkian's wish to consolidate his collection under one roof. The museum's architecture, with its integration of art and nature, pays tribute to Gulbenkian's memory. The museum also houses an art library specializing in visual arts and architecture, further solidifying Gulbenkian's commitment to art and culture. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, established in 1956, continues his philanthropic legacy by supporting charitable, artistic, educational, and scientific projects worldwide.

Calouste Gulbenkian's Legacy

The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon showcases an artistic chronology spanning from ancient times to the early 20th century. The museum's permanent exhibition is arranged to reflect this timeline, presenting works in both chronological and geographical order. The first circuit emphasizes art from classical antiquity, including Greco-Roman pieces, as well as art from the ancient Near East and the Nile Valley. This section features Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Persian, and Armenian art, alongside Persian art from the Islamic period, providing a view of artistic development across these regions.

The second circuit focuses on European art, beginning in the 11th century and continuing to the mid-20th century. This portion includes sections dedicated to illuminated manuscripts, sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts. Renaissance art from the Netherlands, Flanders, France, and Italy is prominently displayed. French 18th-century decorative art holds a special place, with gold, silver objects, furniture, paintings, and sculptures. The circuit also features paintings by Francesco Guardi, English paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, and a collection of jewelry and glass by René Lalique. The museum’s chronological arrangement allows visitors to trace the evolution of artistic styles and movements across different cultures and eras.

Artistic Chronology

The Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon owes its existence to Calouste Gulbenkian's discerning and eclectic taste, which shaped a collection of over 6,000 pieces from around the globe. Gulbenkian's Armenian heritage, extensive travels, and keen eye for quality led him to assemble an array of art and artifacts spanning diverse cultures and historical periods. The museum's permanent exhibition showcases this eclecticism through a chronological and geographical arrangement, presenting two distinct routes for visitors.

One route emphasizes Oriental and Classical Art, featuring Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Mesopotamian, Islamic, Armenian, and Far Eastern pieces. The second route focuses on European Art, highlighting books, sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts. The European wing includes 18th-century French decorative art and a dedicated space for René Lalique's jewelry and glasswork. Gulbenkian's personal preferences are evident throughout the collection, including his favorite sculpture, Houdon's marble Diana, acquired from the Hermitage Museum.

The museum also houses a modern collection of Portuguese art, further expanding its scope. Gulbenkian's collection includes paintings by artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, Frans Hals, Renoir, Manet, Degas and Monet. The museum stands as a testament to Gulbenkian's vision, bringing together a world of art within a single institution.

Collection's Eclecticism

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation's cultural influence is profoundly embodied by the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon, inaugurated in 1969 to fulfill Calouste Gulbenkian's vision of housing his extensive collection under one roof. The museum, a key component of the Foundation's headquarters and located within the Calouste Gulbenkian Park, stands as a testament to the Foundation's commitment to arts and culture. The collection spans millennia, featuring Egyptian sculpture, Asian ceramics, European paintings, and Lalique jewelry, reflecting Gulbenkian's diverse and refined taste.

Beyond its role as a repository of art, the museum actively contributes to Lisbon's cultural landscape. The Foundation's support extends to the José de Azeredo Perdigão Modern Art Centre (CAMJAP) within the Gulbenkian Park, focusing on Portuguese contemporary art and international works influencing it. The Department of Animation, Artistic Creation and Education through Art (ACARTE) further promotes Portuguese artistic productions.

The Gulbenkian Foundation's influence extends beyond the museum's walls, fostering international relationships through scholarships and supporting cultural initiatives worldwide. The museum and its surrounding complex symbolize the Foundation's role in Portugal's cultural modernization, offering a space for free expression and democratic values. The Foundation's ongoing activities in arts, science, education, and health solidify its position as a vital force in shaping Portuguese society and its global connections.

Gulbenkian Foundation's Cultural Influence

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon stands as a landmark of architectural synthesis, seamlessly merging art, architecture, and landscape. Designed between 1959 and 1969 by architects Alberto Pessoa, Pedro Cid, and Ruy Jervis d’Athouguia, alongside landscape architects António Vianna Barreto and Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles, the complex integrates the Foundation's headquarters, museum, grand auditorium, congress center, art library, and an open-air auditorium into a unified whole. The design team, including Eduardo Anahory, Rogério Ribeiro, and Daciano Costa, further enhanced the synthesis through interior design, decoration, and furnishing.

The complex uniquely combines exposed concrete, stone, and glass, manipulating space and light to create beauty and intimacy. The Gulbenkian Garden, an integral part of the design, exemplifies the Portuguese modern movement, celebrating the local landscape. The garden acts as a transition between the built environment and nature, fostering a biologically balanced aesthetic.

The architectural synthesis embodies a fusion of diverse cultural influences, integrating European and non-European values. Influences from Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, and Le Corbusier, alongside trends in modern landscape design, converge with Portuguese culture. This synthesis is evident in the seamless integration of architecture, technology, landscape design, and the arts. The project involved a collaborative effort of architects, consultants, and specialists, reflecting an innovative approach to cultural development during a time of political conservatism in Portugal.

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Did You Know?

A Personal Collection

Museum Buildings

Ancient Wonders

A Tapestry of Cultures

Highlights from Reviews

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