Angels Teixeira Museum

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Museum

District: Lisboa > Sintra > Sintra > Quinta do Castanheiro

Location

The Anjos Teixeira Museum is located in a quiet area of the town of Sintra, in the area known as Quinta do Castanheiro. The building is situated on Azinhaga da Sardinha, a place that in the past utilized the waters of the Rio do Porto. Access is gained by descending a few steps from Alameda Volta do Duche, close to Parque da Liberdade.

This positioning offers a more secluded environment, slightly removed from the main movement of the town, yet still integrated into its historical fabric.

The Artistic Collection

This museum space is dedicated to presenting the work of two important Portuguese sculptors: Artur Gaspar Anjos Teixeira (father) and Pedro Augusto dos Anjos Teixeira (son). The collection brings together a vast set of works that testify to the journey of both, encompassing not only sculpture, but also drawing, medal design, painting, correspondence, and photography.

The exhibited works showcase different phases and styles, from the Naturalism and Realism present in Artur's work, to the exploration of Late-Naturalism and Neo-realism in the work of Pedro Anjos Teixeira.

Themes and Vision

Upon visiting the rooms, visitors can discover the central themes that marked the creation of these two artists. Highlights include representations of human and animal anatomy, the daily life of work, the female condition, and historical or religious figures.

One of the notable aspects is the presence of models and maquettes of sculptures that became public monuments, scattered across various cities in Portugal. This allows for an interesting connection between the pieces in the museum and works of art that can be found in other public spaces.

From Mill to Living Studio

The building that houses the museum has its own history. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, it initially functioned as a watermill, harnessing the power of the local river's water. Later, it was adapted for other uses before becoming the museum we know today.

After the donation of the collection, Master Pedro Anjos Teixeira resided at this location for several years, transforming it into a House-Museum where he also set up his studio. It was here that he gave sculpture classes, imparting to the space an atmosphere of creation and artistic sharing.