Titled ‘Gulbenkian Collection: Great Works’, an exhibition showcasing some of the treasures from what is considered “the most extraordinary collection amassed by a single collector in the first half of the 20th century,” will be open until September 1, according to the Foundation.
Key highlights from 19th-century paintings include ‘The Soap Bubbles’ by Manet, ‘Portrait of Camille Monet’ by Renoir, ‘Portrait of Henri Michel-Lévy’ by Degas, and the sculpture ‘Flora’ by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux.
Marking the 70th anniversary of Calouste Gulbenkian’s death (1869-1955), the exhibition does not aim to recreate the museum, which has been closed since March 18, but rather to “explore museographic possibilities that transcend the traditional format of permanent galleries, providing a retrospective narrative,” from Art Deco to antiquity.
Visitors will embark on a journey through time, exploring various eras that captivated Gulbenkian: from 18th-century European and Chinese art to Islamic art collections, European painting, medals, and books from the 16th and 17th centuries, and further back to medieval art and antiquity.
The organization highlights that this approach allows the establishment of formal dialogues between objects from different eras and origins, reflecting the presentation criteria the collector applied in his Parisian mansion when he resided there.
The jewels of René Lalique and a set of glass pieces stand out at the beginning of the exhibition, reflecting Calouste Gulbenkian’s interest in the Art Deco universe.
These works connect with other artistic expressions, such as Japanese art, painting, and books, under the central theme of representing the natural world.
The exhibition concludes with the unprecedented presentation of the contents of Calouste Gulbenkian’s vault, which includes some of his most precious items: diamonds, rings, bracelets, pendants, manuscripts, cigarette cases, and other rare objects.
For the first time in the museum’s history, this exhibition results from a collaborative effort that involved the entire team of conservators in its conception, organization, and assembly, as emphasized by the organization. The exhibition will be accompanied by a program of guided tours and workshops.
The museum’s refurbishment will focus on updating the climate control, lighting, and security systems to meet current standards and requirements for the conservation and presentation of the collection, taking into account the management of visitor flow, which is currently “much higher than in the early years, to enhance the visitor experience,” the institution previously stated.
The closure period of the museum, directed by António Filipe Pimentel, will also be used to restore and study some paintings, with the collaboration of the Hércules Laboratory of the University of Évora, the foundation added.
Last September, Gulbenkian inaugurated the renovated Modern Art Center, which had been closed for four years, now featuring an additional 900 square meters of exhibition space.
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