Museu de José Malhoa (José Malhoa Museum), Caldas da Rainha
The Museu de José Malhoa (José Malhoa Museum) in Caldas da Rainha is an historic museum dedicated to the art of the locally-born naturalist painter.
The museum is located within the pleasant Dom Carlos I Park.
History
José Vital Branco Malhoa (1855-1933) was born in the city but spent most of his active life in Lisbon. In fact, he moved to the capital at the young age of only 12 to study art at the Real Academia de Belas-Artes de Lisboa.
Along with his friend Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro (brother of Rafael), Malhoa is considered a pioneer and master of Naturalism in Portuguese painting.
Both were members of the so-called Grupo do Leão as they met in a brewery and beer hall in Lisbon called the Leão de Ouro (Golden Lion).
Malhoa's most famous paintings are considered O Fado (1910) and Os Bêbados (1907).
Plans for a museum in the artist's home town began in the 1920's and Malhoa began to donate works to the project.
After his death construction of the museum started in 1937 and was inaugurated in 1940, making it the first purpose built museum in the country.
Over time ceramics and works by other artists were collected or donated and displayed in the museum.
In Lisbon the artist lived in what is now the Casa-Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves, Malhoa's former residence and studio close to Picoas metro station.
José Malhoa is buried in the Cemitério dos Prazeres in Lisbon.
Exhibits
The museum exhibits the paintings of José Malhoa as well as works by many of his contemporaries in the Grupo do Leão.
In all the museum displays paintings, sculptures, drawings and ceramics from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Thus visitors can admire the works of such artists as the Pinheiro siblings, Helena Roque Gameiro, Alfredo Keil, Teixeira Lopes, António Montês, António da Silva Porto, José de Souza Pinto, Henrique Pinto, Soares dos Reis, João Rodrigues Vieira and Raul Xavier among many others.
In the basement is an extraordinary exhibition of ceramic pieces by Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro. These include 60 life-size terracotta figures arranged in nine different scenes of the Passion of Christ.
The gardens also contain sculptures by various artists.
Access
Parque D. Carlos I
2500-109 Caldas da Rainha
Tel: 262 831 984
culturacentro.gov.pt/museu-jose-malhoa
May 1st to September open 10 am to 12:30 am and 2 pm to 6 pm; October to April 10 am to 12:30 am and 2 pm to 5:30 pm.
Closed on Mondays. Also closed on January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st, May 15th and December 25th.
Admission: 3 Euros; free on Sundays and national holidays until 2 pm for residents.
Other places of interest in the town include the beautiful church Nossa Senhora do Pópulo and the daily Praça da Fruta (Mercado de Rua Caldense).
Accommodation
Caldas da Rainha offers a small range of accommodation from rentals to high-end hotels.
The summer months of July and August are the peak season so you will need to book early to guarantee a room at this time.
Some recommendations are the SANA Silver Coast Hotel, the Hotel Dona Leonor and the apartment Bordallo's Prime Apartments.
Close to Caldas da Rainha Station are the three star Hotel Cristal Caldas and the Europeia Hotel, also with three stars.
See a complete listing of places to stay in Caldas da Rainha.
Featured Hotel in Caldas da Rainha
SANA Silver Coast Hotel
Hotel terrace, restaurant, parking & free WiFi.
European Rail Information
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