Are you questioning which museums to go to in Lisbon? In the event you love fashionable artwork, admire modern structure, take pleasure in lovely gardens, and care about sustainable causes, then the Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian is the right alternative for you! This museum has an necessary place on the Lisbon artwork map and is completely price exploring.
Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian in Lisbon
The Calouste Gulbenkian Basis is without doubt one of the most necessary cultural organisations in Portugal and a must-visit location in Lisbon for artwork lovers, particularly for those who’re thinking about fashionable and modern artwork, as a result of they simply reopened Centro de Arte Moderna (CAM) following a four-year-long reconstruction. CAM boasts one of many most interesting collections of Portuguese fashionable and modern artwork, housed in an interesting constructing designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, all set admist a serene backyard. This mixture makes it a real Lisbon artwork oasis.
⤷ Learn extra: Greatest Exhibitions in European Museums in 2025
Calouste Gulbenkian Basis
The Calouste Gulbenkian Basis was established in 1956. In their very own phrases, the organisation “promotes the event of people and organisations, via artwork, science, training, and charity, for a extra equitable and sustainable society”.
Its founder, Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian (1869-1955) was a businessman, artwork collector, and philanthropist who spent final years of his life in Portugal. He established a basis and bequeathed his belongings to the nation. Gulbenkian assembled one of many largest personal artwork collections in Europe, which is now displayed on the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon, part of the inspiration. The museum options over 6,000 artistic endeavors from numerous cultures, spanning from Antiquity to the early Twentieth century. The gathering consists of items by famend artists equivalent to Rogier van der Weyden, Peter Paul Rubens, Frans Hals, Rembrandt van Rijn, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, and lots of others.
Situated in Gulbenkian Backyard which spans over 7.5 hectares, the Gulbenkian advanced consists of the headquarters workplaces, the Gulbenkian Museum, an Artwork Library, and the Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian. The Gulbenkian Orchestra and choir carry out weekly within the Grand Auditorium.
The gardens present a really perfect backdrop for the artwork items and cultural occasions organised by the Gulbenkian Basis. Nestled inside the vibrant metropolis, Gulbenkian Backyard is a surprising instance of the Portuguese fashionable motion in panorama design.
Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian (CAM)
The modernist advanced of buildings on the Gulbenkian Basis has lately been enriched by the transforming of the Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian.
We imagine artwork must be inside everybody’s attain and consider CAM as an accessible and welcoming area. (…) We think about a go to to CAM as a stroll within the park, to unwind but in addition to replicate on the world and its complexity.
(CAM’s mission and imaginative and prescient)
Established in 1983, the unique CAM constructing was positioned within the southern a part of the backyard. After launching a contest in 2019 to refurbish the constructing and higher combine it with an extra eight sq. metres of inexperienced area. CAM Gulbenkian lately re-opened in 2024, making it an unmissable cease for contemporary artwork and structure fanatics travelling to Lisbon.
⤷ Learn extra: Go to a Museum: A Information for the Excellent Museum Go to
CAM Structure
Not solely are you able to take pleasure in some spectacular fashionable artwork exhibitions on the CAM, however the constructing itself is a outstanding murals, as effectively. It was awarded the title of Constructing of the Yr 2025 by Arch Every day.
The constructing’s design creates a seamless transition between structure and nature, notably via the incorporation of a component often known as Engawa, or the Japanese cover, which is adorned with tons of of Portuguese ceramic tiles. Kengo Kuma collaborated with panorama architect Vladimir Djurovic to make sure a harmonious integration of structure and nature within the design.
Because the CAM states: “The big cover lined in white tiles with mushy, natural strains which now marks the facade of the brand new constructing transforms its major entrance into an space of passage between CAM and the backyard, designed for the socialisation of tourists. An area that may be each protecting and stress-free, welcoming and liberating. Kuma was impressed by the Engawa typology, a path protected by the eaves of the roof, not solely inside or exterior, which is often present in conventional Japanese homes. The Engawa idea can be reflecting in numerous options of the constructing, from the design of latest exhibition areas to the opening of assorted entry factors.”
CAM Assortment
The Centro de Arte Moderna homes probably the most complete collections of recent Portuguese artwork. Moreover, it options vital works by British, French, Iraqi, Armenian, and different Twentieth-century artists.
Over the previous 60 years, the Basis has gathered a set of recent and modern artwork that now consists of round 12,000 artworks. This is a perfect place to realize perception into Portuguese fashionable artwork. CAM recurrently organises thematic exhibitions that provide contemporary views on its assortment.
The CAM assortment features a vital variety of artworks donated or acquired via the Gulbenkian Basis’s ongoing philanthropic initiatives, such because the grants awarded to quite a few Portuguese artists, together with Paula Rego.
What resonates with me notably is the Basis’s goal to make artwork extra accessible. They encourage guests to think about CAM as an extension of their very own lounge, inviting them to casually go to with family and friends.
Along with exhibiting artworks, CAM additionally organises an intensive artwork program that features performances, talks, festivals, and extra.
⤷ Learn extra: Greatest Museum Instagram Accounts You Ought to Comply with
CAM Highlights
Though there are such a lot of fascinating artworks within the CAM assortment, listed here are a few of the highlights you shouldn’t miss throughout your go to.
1 – Paula Rego: O Tempo – Passado e Presente, 1990
2 – Helena Almeida: Seduzir, 2002
3 – José de Almada Negreiros: Untitled, 1928
4 – Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso: Trou de la serrure PARTO DA VIOLA Bon ménage Fraise avant garde, c. 1916
5 – Maria Helena Vieira da Silva: Tragic Maritime Historical past of Shipwreck, 1944
CAM Exhibitions
CAM organises numerous short-term exhibitions, highlighting each established and rising artists, in addition to new and experimental artwork varieties.
Present & Upcoming CAM Exhibitions:
- 21 Sep 2024 – 23 June 2025: Tide Line. CAM Assortment
- 22 February – 28 July 2025: Diana Policarpo. Ciguatera
- 22 February – 2 June 2025: Julianknxx. Refrain in Rememory of Flight
- 14 March – 21 July 2025: British Artwork
- 11 April – 22 September 2025: A choice of works from the gathering by Leonor Antunes
- 11 April – 22 September 2025: Paula Rego and Adriana Varejao. Between Your Tooth
- 17 Might – 22 September 2025: Mikhail Karikis. We Are Collectively As a result of…
- 18 September – 19 January 2025: Zineb Sedira. Standing Right here Questioning Which Method to Go
- From 18 September: CAM Assortment Highlights
- 6 November 2026 – 30 March 2026: Carlos Bunga. Inhabit the contradiction
⤷ TIP: Take a look at the CAM agenda for an up-to-date data!
CAM Store
In the event you’d wish to get a bit of Portuguese artwork for your self after your go to to CAM, you should definitely take a look at its store. The Basis collaborates with numerous creators and types from Portugal to showcase their works within the store.
You’ll additionally discover merchandise impressed by the artworks at CAM, together with a choice of books targeted on fashionable and modern artwork.
CAM’s Desk
CAM contains a new restaurant led by Chef André Magalhães, named after a big communal desk designed by the constructing’s architect, Kengo Kuma. The idea encourages sharing and socialising across the desk whereas having fun with freshly from native producers.
Ideas for visiting
⤷ Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday, 10 a.m – 6 p.m | Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m – 11 p.m | Closed on Tuesday.
⤷ Tackle: Av. de Berna 45A, 1067-001 Lisbon, Portugal
⤷ On-line tickets: Click on right here to buy on-line tickets
⤷ Reductions: Free beneath 12 | 25% – Below 30 years previous | 20% – Lisbon Card | 10% – Over 65 years previous
With its fascinating artwork assortment, lovely structure, many short-term exhibitions and a sustainable trigger, CAM has an necessary place on the Lisbon artwork map. When subsequent time within the Portuguese capital, you should definitely go to this outstanding place.
Cowl photograph: Fernando Guerra | Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian
This weblog put up is sponsored by the Calouste Gulbenkian Basis. The Calouste Gulbenkian Basis owns the copyright of all of the images within the article.
