Henrique and Francisco Franco Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Madeira > Funchal > Funchal > Santa Luzia

Location

The Henrique and Francisco Franco Museum is located in the Santa Luzia area, an area integrated into the urban environment of Funchal. It is centrally located, easily accessible for those exploring the city on foot, allowing for a leisurely visit integrated into a tour of downtown Funchal.

The Artists and Their Work

This museum pays tribute to two Madeiran brothers who stood out in the Portuguese artistic scene: Henrique Franco (painter) and Francisco Franco (sculptor). Both were prominent figures in the modernist movement, leaving a significant legacy in 20th-century visual arts.

Henrique Franco distinguished himself through his pictorial work, while Francisco Franco achieved recognition as a sculptor, with works represented in various public spaces.

The Collection and Its Holdings

The museum houses a vast collection of works by Henrique and Francisco Franco, gathered over time by the Funchal City Council. Visitors will find a diversity of artistic expressions here, including paintings, drawings, engravings, small frescoes, and sculptures.

The collections allow visitors to observe the brothers' creative journey, from their early works to those produced in maturity. Exhibitions at the museum often explore particular aspects of the artists' work, offering different perspectives on their legacy.

The Space and Its History

The museum is housed in a building dating from the 1940s, a period that coincides with the Franco brothers' most creatively active years. This property previously served as a Maternal and Child Welfare Centre.

The choice of this space to house the museum allows for the contextualization of the artists' work within their era and the city of Funchal itself, in an environment that reflects the period in which they produced much of their work.

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