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Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Avenidas Novas, Portugal

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Image: Wikimedia Commons.

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is a museum in Avenidas Novas, Portugal.

About Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Overview

The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum houses the extensive private art collection of Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, one of the largest private art collections in Europe. The museum is part of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal. The permanent exhibition is distributed chronologically and geographically, creating two independent circuits for visitors. The collection spans ancient to modern art, with a particular emphasis on French 18th-century decorative arts and Venetian paintings.

Building & Architecture

The museum and headquarters were designed with a relatively simple shape, featuring T-shaped wings, each with an entrance. The building was designed by a British architect. Construction began with earthworks and retaining walls in 1962, following a competition launched in 1959. The property was distinguished with the Valmor Prize in 1975. The museum was specifically designed as a showcase for the collection, a relatively unique approach at the time when most museums were housed in buildings originally built for other purposes.

Collection Highlights

The museum's collection includes outstanding French 18th-century decorative art, featuring gold and silver objects, furniture, paintings, and sculptures. A significant group of paintings by Venetian artists is also exhibited. The collection also encompasses works from ancient civilizations, including Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art, as well as Islamic art. The Gulbenkian's Centro de Arte Moderna (CAM), opened in 1983, actively commissions and collects modern works, now numbering 12,000 pieces.

Significance & Legacy

The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is significant for housing one of the most comprehensive private art collections in Europe, reflecting the diverse tastes of its founder. The opening of the Centro de Arte Moderna (CAM) in 1983 marked it as Portugal's first museum of modern art. The Foundation continues to be active in the Armenian community worldwide, distributing scholarships and grants. The museum and its park remain a major cultural institution in Lisbon, recognized with the Valmor Prize for its architectural and landscape design.

What to see at Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Start with Holy Family and Donors by Vittore Carpaccio.

Plan your visit

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Website
gulbenkian.pt
Part of
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
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What's on

Artworks shown from Calouste Gulbenkian Museum are in the public domain; images via the open-access programs of their source collections. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.