Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga: The National Museum of Ancient Art
The National Museum of Ancient Art is a must-see on any tourist itinerary and one of Lisbon's most important cultural attractions. This is Portugal's national gallery, and it houses the country's largest collection of Portuguese 15th- and 16th-century paintings. An equally impressive collection of European, Oriental, and African art adds to the enchantment. The museum is located west of the city center in a 17th-century palace that was built over the ruins of the Saint Albert Carmelite monastery, which was almost completely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. Fortunately, the chapel survived and is now incorporated into the structure.
The extensive permanent collection, spread across three levels, requires at least two hours of your time. Begin by exploring the aforementioned St. Albert Chapel on Level 1 and then meander through rooms displaying Portuguese applied art: furniture, tapestries, and textiles, among other objects, many of which reflect the influences of Portugal's colonial explorations. (Keep an eye out for the exquisite 17th-century silver gilt casket from India.)
Indeed, there are some genuinely remarkable works on Level 1. Here, notable works include Hans Holbein the Elder's Virgin and Child with Saints (1519) and Albrecht Dürer's 1521 portrait of St. Jerome. The Temptations of St. Anthony (c.1500) by Hieronymus Bosch is a highlight.
Level 2 is dominated by jewelry, ceramics, gold, silverware, and art from the Portuguese Discoveries, but it makes a point of studying the fascinating 16th-century Japanese Namban screens that depict Portuguese trading in Japan. The third level is dedicated to Portuguese painting and sculpture. The altarpiece depicting the Panels of Saint Vincent was painted in 1470-80 by Nuno Gonçalves, the official artist for King D. Afonso V. The gardens at the back of the museum are worth mentioning. The terrace provides excellent views of the river, and there is a café where you can relax and reflect on the visual feast you have just experienced.
Address: R. das Janelas Verdes, 1249-017 Lisboa, Portugal
Timings: 10AM - 6PM (Closed Monday)
Phone: +351 21 391 2800
Google rating: 4.6/5
Website: http://www.museudearteantiga.pt/
