Museu Bordalo Pinheiro
The Museu Bordalo Pinheiro in northern Lisbon, close to the Museu de Lisboa, is dedicated to the life and art of Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro (1846-1905).
Bordalo Pinheiro is known for his prolific output of ceramics, sculpture, illustration and caricatures. Active also in the literary arts, Bordalo Pinheiro founded several periodicals where he could showcase his illustrations and cartoons including his iconic Zé Povinho character - a rustic, working class, Portuguese everyman.
History
Bordalo Pinheiro came from an artistic family. His father, Manuel Maria and his brother Columbano were both successful painters.
The museum is housed in the former residence of Artur Ernesto de Santa Cruz Magalhães, a poet who had amassed a large collection of Bordalo Pinheiro's work. It opened to the public in 1916 and was donated to the city in 1924.
The core of the collection is Bordalo Pinheiro's graphic art: cartoons, drawings, illustrations and watercolours. In addition are advertisements, book covers, invitations and even menus drawn by the artist.
Exhibits
Bordallo Pinheiro is also well-known for his ceramics including works from the Faience Ceramics Factory he founded in Caldas da Rainha in 1884. Exhibits on display include the artist's playful tableware, azulejos tiles and decorative pieces some of which are made in the artist's signature caricature style.
Bordallo Pinheiro's life and times is also introduced by means of an audio-visual display, photographs, personal belongings, including the artist's shirt, and a striking portrait of the artist by his brother Columbano.
The separate gallery, which is on two floors like the main building holds temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, caricatures and cartoons.
The museum also includes a small shop and a library open to researchers with a prior reservation.
Access
Museu Bordalo Pinheiro (museubordalopinheiro.cm-lisboa.pt)
Campo Grande 382
1700-097 Lisbon
Tel: 21 757 1858
The nearest Lisbon metro stations to the Museu Bordalo Pinheiro are Campo Grande or Cidade Universitária; Alternatively take any of Lisbon buses: #701, #717, #731, #735, #736, #738, #747, #750, #755, #767, #778, #783, #796, #798 to Campo Grande bus station.
Hours: From Tuesday to Sunday 10 am - 6 pm (Last entry 5.30 pm)
Closed on Monday and on May 1, December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1.
Admission: €3.00. Entrance is free with a Lisboa Card. Reductions apply for holders of Cartão Jovem, students and visitors over 60. Free entry to the museum on Sundays and on May 18 (International Museum Day).
The Museu Bordalo Pinheiro is close to the Museu de Lisboa, The National Archive of Torre do Tombo (Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo), University of Lisbon Alameda Campus and Estádio José Alvalade.
Several hotels are also within close proximity. Recommended in this area of Lisbon are are the four-star VIP Executive Entrecampos Hotel & Conference, the Hotel NH Lisboa Campo Grande, and the Le Jardin guest house. The Radisson Blu is an upmarket but reasonably-priced accommodation near Campo Grande.
The four-star Lisbon Marriott Hotel along with the SANA Metropolitan Hotel are also top end hotels.
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