Marta Ortigão Sampaio House Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Cedofeita

Location

The Marta Ortigão Sampaio House Museum is located in the Cedofeita area, in Porto, on Rua de Nossa Senhora de Fátima. An interesting feature is its garden, which is situated at a lower level than the street, creating an environment of tranquility and refuge in the middle of the city.

History and Architecture

This modernist building was designed in 1958 by architect José Carlos Loureiro. Originally built as a residence for Marta Ortigão Sampaio, the house was never actually inhabited by her, which suggests that from the outset there might have been an intention to designate it for public use. After its donation to the Porto City Council in 1978, the house opened as a museum in 1996.

Architecturally, it stands out for its connection with the exterior through large windows and a skylight that allows natural light to enter the various floors. The construction uses a variety of materials, some considered innovative for the time, such as glazed ceramic coatings, metal shutters, and the use of plastic for handrails, metal, and light wood paneling indoors.

An Environment of the Era

The museum space seeks to recreate and evoke the environment in which this distinguished family of Porto's bourgeoisie lived, especially during the late 19th and first half of the 20th centuries. Marta Ortigão Sampaio grew up in a circle connected to arts and culture; she was the daughter of Vasco Ortigão Sampaio, a renowned collector and patron, and the maternal niece of painters Aurélia de Sousa and Sofia de Sousa. The house's collection, which includes furniture, decorative art, and personal collections, reflects the taste and lifestyle of this family.

The Collections

The museum houses various collections that belonged to the Ortigão Sampaio family. In the painting area, one finds works by Portuguese Naturalist artists, such as Silva Porto, Carlos Reis, Malhoa, and Roque Gameiro. An important part of the collection is dedicated to the works of Aurélia de Sousa and Sofia de Sousa, her aunts, displaying not only paintings and drawings, but also photographs they used in their creative process, offering a perspective on their artistic work.

The furniture collection features pieces with diverse influences, including French, English, and Indo-Portuguese styles, which complement the ambiance of the rooms. There is also a library focusing on art books and a selection of decorative art, with pieces such as figurines, ceramics, glass, and lamps from the 19th century, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau.

The Jewelry Collection

One of the highlights of the visit is the valuable collection of personal jewelry. With nearly three hundred pieces, dating from the late 17th to the 20th century, it is considered one of the largest private jewelry collections in Portugal. It includes notable examples of goldsmithery from the north of the country and pieces with precious stones. These jewels not only demonstrate the opulence of the era but also the tradition and quality of local goldsmith work.

The Garden

The surroundings of the house include a garden that provides a pleasant and inviting outdoor space. It features a small pond with water lilies and sculptural elements, such as carved stones from the former Convent of São Bento da Avé-Maria, acquired by Marta's father. The vegetation is varied, with a focus on species such as magnolias, an Atlas cedar, laurels, bamboos, and various fruit trees, contributing to the serene atmosphere of the place.

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