Origins and History of the Museum
The Berardo Collection Museum emerged as a dedicated space for modern and contemporary art in Lisbon, Portugal. Its presence in the city began through a 2006 agreement in which José Berardo signed a contract with the Portuguese government to loan art to the Centro Cultural de Belém. This arrangement allowed the collection to be displayed within the cultural enclave of Belém, establishing the institution's presence in the public sphere. The museum was officially established in 2007.
The trajectory of the institution changed significantly in 2019. During this year, the Berardo Collection was seized by the Portuguese state following debts to three Portuguese banks that exceeded $1 billion. This legal and financial shift marked a period of transition for the holdings. The museum was eventually dissolved in 2022, concluding its specific era of operation.
Following its dissolution, the space underwent a formal transition. In January 2023, the Contemporary Art Museum - Centro Cultural de Belém replaced the Berardo Collection Museum. The evolution of the site reflects the shifting administrative and legal structures surrounding the collection's history in Lisbon.
The Architecture and the Interplay of Light
The museum is housed within the Centro Cultural de Belém. Designed by José Luís Sert, the building functions as a study in the relationship between structure and natural illumination. The architecture relies on expansive windows to pull the soft, Atlantic light of Lisbon into the galleries. This constant influx of daylight ensures that the textures and colors of the works are revealed in an authentic state.
The interplay of light and shadow creates a specific atmosphere within the halls. The design allows the natural environment to interact with the interior spaces, making the light a quiet participant in the viewing experience. This connection to the external environment provides a sense of clarity to the objects on display.
A Diverse Collection of Modern Art
The collection spans the evolution of modern and contemporary art from 1900 to the present day. It is organized chronologically, following the various schools and movements that defined the twentieth century. This structure allows for a direct observation of how artistic language shifted through different eras. The permanent collection, valued by Christie's at €316 million, contains significant presences from the foundational shifts of the previous century through to contemporary provocations.
One encounters the structured geometry of Piet Mondrian alongside the visceral energy of Jackson Pollock. The works of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí are present, offering a dialogue between different approaches to form and reality. The collection also holds the works of Francis Bacon, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cy Twombly, and Damien Hirst. These pieces represent a wide spectrum of thought, from the early innovations of Cubism to the complexities of contemporary practice.
- Untitled (Ponte), about 1914 - Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso
- Pelas Janelas (Desdobramento Intersecção), about 1914 - Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso
- Composition, 1917 - Lyubov Popova
Visiting: What to See First
Located at Praça do Império in the Belém district of Lisbon, Portugal, the museum is organized across three distinct levels. A logical progression begins on the top floor, level 2. This upper level houses the permanent collection spanning from 1900 to 1960. Starting here allows for a chronological encounter with the early developments of modernism before descending through the subsequent floors.
The arrangement of the galleries follows a structured path, moving through various schools and movements. For those visiting on a Saturday, admission is free. The space provides a quiet environment to observe the evolution of form and abstraction as one moves from the upper reaches of the building toward the lower levels.
