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Reclining Figure: Arched Leg 4/6, Henry Moore, 1969-1970
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One of the most impressive museums in Portugal is the Berardo Collection Museum in Belém, a short train or tram ride from the center of Lisbon. The permanent exhibition at the museum is the private collection of one man, José Manuel Rodrigues Berardo. It includes works by the likes of Picasso, Mondrian, Magritte, Warhol among others. An afternoon at this museum is merely an introduction to the Berardo Collection. You’ll want to return and appreciate the works on display at a leisurely pace. Entrance is free on Saturdays.
This is a late post. These few images of the artworks presented here were taken during my visit to Portugal in April 2016. I’ve arranged them in chronological order except for the Henry Moore outdoor sculpture because this image gives a perspective of the museum building (facing away from the main avenue) and the garden. Some artists belong to several artistic movements like Man Ray whose works show the influences of Dadaism and Surrealism. I’ve also added quotes attributed to the artists to gain insight to their thoughts about their works or art in general.
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| Tête de Femme, Pablo Picasso, 1909 |
Pablo Picasso. Artistic Movement: Cubism
“I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them.” - Picasso
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| Tête de jeune fille à la frange, Amedeo Modigliani, 1910-1921 |
“When I know your soul, I will paint your eyes.” - Modigliani
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| Tableau with Yellow, Black, Blue, Grey, Piet Mondrian, 1923 |
"Vertical and horizontal lines are the expression of two opposing forces; they exist everywhere and dominate everything; their reciprocal action constitutes ‘life’. I recognized that the equilibrium of any particular aspect of nature rests on the equivalence of its opposites.” - Mondrian
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| Le Gouffre Argenté, René Magritte, 1926 |
Artistic Movement: Surrealism
“It is not my intention to make anything comprehensible. I am of the opinion that there are sufficient paintings which one understands after a shorter or longer delay, and that therefore some incomprehensible painting would now be welcome. I am at pains to deliver such, as far as possible.” - Magritte |
| Coquille Fleurs, Max Ernst, 1929 |
Artistic Movement: Surrealism
“Art has nothing to do with taste. Art is not there to be tasted.” - Ernst
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| Relief: Rhythms, 1932, Robert Delaunay |
Artistic Movement: Abstraction between WWI and WWII
“Impressionism: it is the birth of light in the painting.” - Delaunay
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| Café Man Ray, Man Ray, 1948 |
Artistic Movement: Dada
“I believe in the relation between photography and music and that’s my inspiration.” - Man Ray
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| Untitled, Willem de Kooning, 1976 |
Artistic Movement: Abstract Expressionism
“I don’t paint to live; I live to paint.” - de Kooning
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| Mire G42 (Kowloon), Jean Dubuffet, 1983 |
Artistic Movement: Art Brut, Hourloupe
“There is no art without intoxication. But I mean a mad intoxication! Let reason teeter! Delirium! The highest degree of delirium! Plunged in burning dementia! Art is the most enrapturing orgy within man’s reach...art must make you laugh a little and make you a little afraid. Anything as long as it doesn’t bore.” - Dubuffet
How to get there:
Berardo Museum
Praça do Imperio, Belém
Free admission on Saturdays
www.museoberardo.pt
Take tram #15 or 15E headed for Algés from Praça de Figueira (near Rossio) and get off at Jerónimos Monastery. Or take the train to Cascais from Cais do Sodré station and get off at Belém stop. The museum is on the same side as the monastery.
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Images by TravelswithCharie