Gulbenkian Collection. Great Works

The Museum adopts a fresh approach to the presentation of a group of key works of art brought together by Calouste Gulbenkian during the course of his life. Opening on the 70th anniversary of the Collector’s death, the exhibition reflects how Gulbenkian collected and displayed these works in his home – organically, without geographical or chronological divisions. His vision and taste transcended disciplines, combining and juxtaposing eras and regions.

Embracing this eclectic and interconnected vision, the Museum’s closure for remodelling turned into an opportunity to explore new museological perspectives and solutions. So, the exhibition starts in the twentieth century, particularly tracing Gulbenkian’s interest with Art Deco – the Lalique collection and the rarely exhibited Dunand screen take centre stage. René Lalique’s work bridges European and Japanese art, which evokes a central theme found throughout this display: the representation of the natural world.

The European and Chinese arts of the 18th century reflect the cultural exchange and global trade that influenced their production. The theme continues a common thread in the collections of Islamic art and European painting from the sixteenth and seventeenth-centuries. The medieval section focuses on the circulation of artworks across the Mediterranean and the Silk Road, and finally, Antiquity – which spans over 5,000 years of human history, underscores the Collector’s fascination with the influence of classical iconography on the artworks showcased throughout the exhibition and the dialogue between history and art.

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