Museum of Folk Art

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa

Location

The Museum of Popular Art is strategically located in the historic area of Belém, in Lisbon, an area of great symbolic and scenic value on the banks of the Tagus River. Its position offers a serene environment and a direct connection to the estuary, fitting into a route where the city's history and culture unfold along the riverside. The surroundings are marked by the spaciousness and the proximity of monumental elements that contribute to Belém's unique atmosphere, inviting a calm and reflective cultural exploration.

Origins and Cultural Purpose

This unique building originated within the scope of the grand Portuguese World Exhibition, held in 1940, under its original designation as the Pavilion of Popular Life. Its conception aimed to present Portugal's ethnographic richness and traditions, from typical costumes to everyday artifacts, reflecting the diversity of its regions. After the exhibition, the space was adapted and reopened in 1948, assuming the function of the Museum of Popular Art. Its mission has since focused on the collection, preservation, and dissemination of popular artistic and artisanal expressions, pivotal elements for understanding Portuguese cultural identity and memory.

Architecture and Symbolism

The architectural project of the Museum of Popular Art is authored by Cottinelli Telmo and João de Aguiar, reflecting a style that, although inserted in the context of its construction era, incorporates elements that refer to a simplified reading of Portuguese vernacular architecture. Its facade is particularly notable, adorned with sculptural relief panels by artists such as Leopoldo de Almeida, Francisco Franco, and Barata Feyo. These figurative representations illustrate scenes of rural and maritime life, traditional crafts, and regional costumes, functioning as a true open book on the country's popular universe. The grandeur and expressiveness of these reliefs give the building a strong symbolic presence, evoking the collective soul of Portugal.

The Ethnographic Collection

Throughout its history, the Museum of Popular Art gathered a vast and significant collection that documents the richness of Portuguese ethnography. Its collections encompassed objects representative of the country's various provinces, including clothing, ceramics, furniture, work tools, basketry, toys, and other artifacts produced by rural and fishing communities. Each piece told a story about ways of life, ancestral know-how, and popular beliefs, offering visitors an immersive journey through the cultural diversity and deep roots of Portuguese popular art. The museum played a crucial role in the valorization and perpetuation of the material and immaterial legacy of the Portuguese people.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt