The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon has undergone a significant transformation, returning to its mid-century modern roots after an 18-month renovation. This iconic museum, named after the Armenian tycoon and collector, has been given a new lease of life, preserving its original vision while incorporating modern upgrades. The renovation, costing €7.8 million, aimed to restore the museum to its 1969 state, honoring the 70th birthday of the foundation it represents. The museum's director, Xavier Salomon, emphasizes the importance of this restoration, stating that it sought to return the display 'as much as possible to its original 1969 state'.
The museum's history is deeply intertwined with its founder, Calouste Gulbenkian, who amassed a vast collection of over 6,000 objects, including rare books, Renaissance tapestries, and Islamic tiles. His passion for collecting 'only the best' is evident in the diverse array of artifacts he acquired. The museum's original design, created by Portuguese architects Alberto Pessoa, Pedro Cid, and Ruy Jervis d'Athouguia, was a single-storey building with a restrained palette of materials, large expanses of glazing, and a Brutalist setting with strong Japanese influence. However, over the years, repairs and changing curatorial outlooks diluted the original vision, leading to the need for a comprehensive renovation.
The renovation process, led by Salomon in collaboration with architects Teresa Nunes da Ponte and Frédéric Ladonne, focused on restoring the museum's original spirit while incorporating modern upgrades. The museum now features anti-reflective glass and LED lighting throughout, enhancing the display of its treasures. The Islamic world section showcases 14th-century Mamluk mosque lamps in individual vitrines, while the Asia galleries have a new, more practical display case designed by the French specialist ACL. The renovation also added a new numismatic cabinet for the display of coins and moved the Assyrian winged-guardian relief to a more prominent position.
One of the most notable changes is the restoration of the museum's relationship between art, architecture, and nature. The new director, Salomon, emphasizes the importance of this connection, stating that the renovation reinstates 'the museum's unique relationship between art, architecture and nature'. The museum now presents a decluttered and updated version of its 1969 display, with short and to-the-point labels, entirely absent of multimedia screens. This restoration not only preserves the museum's original vision but also ensures its relevance and accessibility for future generations. The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian stands as a testament to the power of preservation and the importance of honoring the past while embracing the future.
