Add a review about the Galust Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon

The Museum of Galust Gulbenkian in Lisbon is one of those gifts that await the most curious traveler. Private collections usually do not attract as much attention as there are large national museums, and in vain, especially in this case.

The fact is that this private museum has a more impressive collection than many national ones. One list of names is amazing - there really is a very, very many things. Including a number of paintings from the Petersburg Hermitage.

Galust Gulbenkyan was one of those "citizens of the world", which appeared in the beginning of the 20th century. He was born in Turkey in a family of Armenian descent, lived in London and Paris, and died in Lisbon in 1955. But most importantly, it was one of the most influential oil magnates in the history of mankind. It was he who in many ways created the modern oil industry.

A separate room in this museum is occupied by collections of medieval books and a whole section of manuscripts.

But he was also a fanatic collector, and since he died as a billionaire, the collection really turned out to be amazing. Galust Gulbenkyan founded the foundation, and according to his will, this fund opened a museum of his collection and manages it till now.

Collection

The first part of the exposition contains items of ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Greek, Roman and Persian art. There are many unique things, very different. Greek vases, Egyptian tombs, rare Persian ornaments - and all this can be seen.

The second part of the museum is dedicated to European art. Here you can find collections of paintings, sculptures, carvings, decorative objects. Some ancient, some quite modern (for example, Lalique products - they are also here), this part of the collection refers to the 11-20 centuries. Nevertheless, there are many medieval objects here.

A separate room is occupied by collections of medieval books and a whole section of manuscripts.

But the most impressive part is pictures. Cloths of Rembrandt, Rubens and van Eyck, a collection of English paintings in separate rooms - Turner and Gainsborough, a large collection of impressionists, including paintings by Claude Monet, Renoir and Degas. And besides the above - a lot of less famous artists.

The museum has a large collection of antique furniture (mainly French) and an even larger collection of gold and silver items, of a variety of: jewelry, and decorative, and for home use.

A special place is occupied by the collection of Armenian and Middle Eastern art, there are a lot of interesting things here, objects are mostly medieval, and this is very rare.

Also in the museum there are many art-deco items. No wonder - the creator of the collection lived at this time. The meeting turned out to be impressive: jewelry, a collection of glass and decorative objects and separately - a whole hall of works by Lalique.

Some of the works from the Hermitage in St. Petersburg also fell into this collection - the Stalin government sold part of the collection in order to get rid of the currency deficit.

In addition to the listed exhibits, the museum has a lot of things. Watches, coins, dishes, historical rarities - just do not list.

All the items here are in good condition and with a very high level of safety - the creator sought to buy no shards and debris, but something much more significant. By the way, it was he who came up with the slogan "Only the best."

In general, about the museum

Also, the museum hosts many temporary exhibitions. The best galleries of the world cooperate with him, so the exhibitions are always good. It is this museum that exhibits serious collections - El Greco or Degas, for example.

In general, this is a very serious museum, one of the best in the country. Such a set of works in a private museum open to the public is a great rarity and great luck. Magnificently selected collections, good design, a lot of interesting exhibitions are almost ideal.

Collection overview

Practical information

Address: Lisboa, Av. de Berna, 45a, Museu Calouste Gulbenkian.

It is convenient to get there by metro station. Sebastian or Spain Square.

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00, every second Monday of each month the museum is closed.

Ticket price: 5 EUR (for the autumn of 2014).