Dramatic towering “canopy” greets visitors to new addition
Last week, my wife and I went to our favorite art museum, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon. Nestled in the heart of the city, surrounded by gardens and trees, this museum displays a dazzling private collection of paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, coins, furniture, rugs, tapestries, silverware, glassware, books and more.
The collection totals over 6,000 pieces dating from antiquity until the early 20th century, including examples from ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, Babylonia, Armenia, Persia, Europe, China, and Japan.
Calouste Gulbenkian was a brilliant Armenian oil executive of the Middle East during the late 1800’s and early 1900s. A colorful and tenacious genius of politics and engineering, he always had a love of art. He was nicknamed “Mr. Five Percent” because he received 5% of the proceeds from all oil deals in the area of the former Ottoman Empire. When he died in 1955, at the age of 86, he was the world’s richest man.
With his endless love of art, Gulbenkian amassed this incredible collection of superb quality and variety. His collection was in his palace in Paris in the early 1900s, but he moved himself and his collection to neutral Lisbon during WWII.
After his death, a private foundation was formed and, in 1969, they completed the beautiful modern building that is the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. My wife and I have enjoyed visiting the Gulbenkian several times.
Last week, we wanted one more visit before the museum closes for renovations starting this March 18 until July 2026. When we arrived at the grounds of the museum, we entered from the south and were immediately thrilled with the spectacle of a new addition to the Gulbenkian Modern Art Center. This is a separate building, which was originally built in 1983.
The magnificent new addition, featuring a dramatic sweeping canopy structure, was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The scale and feeling of this towering entryway are powerfully moving, and yet, somehow serene. A peaceful garden with native trees and plantings, a reflective pond with resident mallard ducks and curved pathways weave their way around the building.
As local residents walked through the grounds on their way to work, we explored the area.
The Gulbenkian Modern Art Center is an exciting destination of its own, with provocative exhibitions, videos, and artworks. It lives harmoniously on the grounds of the neighboring Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, but in stark contrast to the fine arts of bygone millennia.
Art reflects life, and modern art makes a strong commentary on today’s world. It also gives your mind a holiday from reality so your imagination can thrive. It’s something we all need for happiness and psychic survival.
