Art history news in Portugal

In the 18th century, the work of Thomas Germain was one of the largest commissions from a foreign court to a French goldsmith. With over a thousand pieces, there are recent updates regarding the dinner service.

observador.pt22 Oct

Two pairs of candelabra in an exuberant dinner service

Two artists from Viseu: José de Almeida e Silva and Aureliano Lima

We remember two visual artists from Viseu: José de Almeida e Silva, a draughtsman and disciple of Soares dos Reis, and Aureliano Lima, a poet and abstract painter.

observador.pt12 Oct

Two artists from Viseu: José de Almeida e Silva and Aureliano Lima

The Leão Group had five “lionesses”

If they were not yet part of the group, they could not be in the famous portrait that Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro painted of the Leão Group. It even seems simple. Opinion by Bárbara Reis

publico.pt3 Oct

Where are the women in the Leão Group painting?

Women artists lived for centuries in a vicious cycle of invisibility. It was not just forgetfulness. It was an active struggle against them.

publico.pt26 Sept

Two pillars painted by Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro discovered in Caramulo

The family of Abel de Lacerda, founder of the Caramulo Museum, discovered two wooden pillars painted by Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro in the art collector's home, his great-niece told the Lusa agency.

rtp.pt22 Sept

Two pillars painted by Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro discovered in Caramulo

Pope in Fatima? Sanctuary does not consider removing Rupnik mural

Before the Pope's visit, the Sanctuary of Lourdes will permanently cover works by Marko Rupnik, who was judged by the Vatican for abuse. Fatima has a panel by Rupnik, but is not considering removing or covering it.

observador.pt5 Sept

Pope in Fatima? Sanctuary does not consider removing Rupnik mural

Josefa de Óbidos painted with her father the joyful months of Portugal after 1640

An overview of the artistic collaboration between Josefa de Óbidos and her father, capturing the optimistic period in Portugal following the Restoration of Independence in 1640.

Público27 Aug

The mysterious eye that inspired a peculiar and romantic collection

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“We know nothing about the person portrayed, that is part of the mystery of 'lover's eyes',” explains David Skier. “They were created to be anonymous.”

cnnportugal.iol.pt16 Aug

The mysterious eye that inspired a peculiar and romantic collection

In the churches of Alentejo, we stay cool among frescoes

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Alentejo has the highest number of fresco wall paintings in the country — the heat is one of the reasons. The Fresco Route opens chapels and churches to reveal their “hidden secrets”, including an elephant.

publico.pt16 Aug

Van Gogh's signatures reveal the artist's relationship with his work, study says

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The presence of the signature 'Vincent' on less than a fifth of Vincent van Gogh's paintings provides insight into the artist's relationship with his work, according to the study 'Simply Vincent', published today by the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

rtp.pt13 Aug

Van Gogh's signatures reveal the artist's relationship with his work, study says

The Panels of St. Vincent took longer to create than previously thought

Restoration has already returned an ear to one figure and left the sleeve of another more frayed. A study of this 550-year-old work, which took two decades to complete, shows that it underwent changes until the very end. Many of them.

publico.pt13 Aug

Without fear of love, let us outsmart the future

This painting was created in 1943, at a time when the Portuguese painter Maria Helena Vieira da Silva was living in exile in Brazil, as she was seen as inappropriate by the far-right dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar.

expresso.pt21 Jul

Without fear of love, let us outsmart the future

State exercises right of first refusal on historic work by Amadeo Souza-Cardoso

The State exercised its right of first refusal on the painting “Copo branco belleza dos objectos” by Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso (1887-1918), sold at auction, which will go to the Soares dos Reis National Museum in Porto. According to a statement from the public company Museums and Monuments of Portugal (MMP), the State exercised this right on Thursday.

eco.sapo.pt26 Jun

State exercises right of first refusal on historic work by Amadeo Souza-Cardoso

State exercised right of first refusal on Amadeo work sold at auction

The work 'Copo branco beleza dos objectos' will go to the Soares dos Reis National Museum in Porto.

publico.pt26 Jun

The alder, a masterpiece by the basket weavers of Vildemoinhos

The “Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt”, painted by Grão Vasco, is actually a curious showcase of the eating habits, clothing, and accessories that were used in the 1500s.

observador.pt25 Jun

The alder, a masterpiece by the basket weavers of Vildemoinhos

National Gallery hosts conference on Josefa de Óbidos

The event aims to explore her artistic production and place in the “artistic exchange in the Iberian Peninsula, female artists active in the 17th century, and the international culture of Portugal.”

observador.pt22 Jun

National Gallery hosts conference on Josefa de Óbidos

Old Master paintings accessible in an open interactive catalogue

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The first cycle in digital format was conceived by the Gaudium Magnum Foundation to meet the needs of students, academics, and anyone interested in exploring, in an interactive way, the greatness of the art of European painters between the 13th century and the beginning of the 19th century.

expresso.pt27 May

Old Master paintings accessible in an open interactive catalogue

This 270-year-old scene featuring noblemen using forks now has a permanent place at the Tile Museum

An 18th-century tile panel was one of the works purchased by the State in 2025 for its museums and palaces. A lot of 16 pieces that includes a José Malhoa and leaves out an important altarpiece.

publico.pt20 May

This 270-year-old scene featuring noblemen using forks now has a permanent place at the Tile Museum

State acquires painting by José Malhoa for 400,000 euros for the Abade de Baçal Museum

The State acquired a painting titled “Os Bêbados” by José Malhoa last year for 400,000 euros to be placed in the Abade de Baçal Museum in Bragança, Museus e Monumentos de Portugal announced today.

rtp.pt15 May

State acquires painting by José Malhoa for 400,000 euros for the Abade de Baçal Museum

The genius of Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro on the 150th anniversary of Zé Povinho

Two important exhibitions at the Bordalo Pinheiro Museum: one dedicated to Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, featuring a varied overview of his artistic work, and another on the 150th anniversary of Zé Povinho, the creation that outlived its inventor.

Expresso9 Apr

The genius of Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro on the 150th anniversary of Zé Povinho

Is this portrait a Rembrandt or the copy of a talented and diligent student?

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An art historian now argues that the painting, which for over a hundred years was believed to be a studio reproduction, may have been created by the Dutch master himself. However, not everyone will agree.

Público30 Mar

Is this portrait a Rembrandt or the copy of a talented and diligent student?

Velázquez among us

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In an era of platforms and algorithms, this article explores the challenges of film criticism, drawing inspiration from Jérémie Koering's recent book on Diego Velázquez's 1656 masterpiece, 'Las Meninas'. By revisiting Michel Foucault's analysis of the painting, the text examines the complex interplay between the viewer's gaze, the artist, and the subjects, ultimately challenging the notion that images are merely passive reproductions of reality.

Dinheiro Vivo20 Mar

The gold cutlery set from the reign of King John V that went to Maastricht and will return home

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It is a rare piece, both for the material from which it was made and for having survived to the present day, as well as being of national production. Until Thursday, it is at an antiques fair. Was it commissioned by the king himself?

Público17 Mar

The gold cutlery set from the reign of King John V that went to Maastricht and will return home

Madalena Braz Teixeira, former director of the Costume Museum, has died

Madalena Braz Teixeira was an art historian and museologist, best known for her work with the National Costume Museum in Lisbon. She died at the age of 87.

Observador15 Mar

Madalena Braz Teixeira, former director of the Costume Museum, has died

Leonora Carrington married in a hurry in Lisbon, and it was in Mexico that she painted “Feeding a Table”