There is more to share about food, but for today let’s turn our attention to art, another focus of this adventure.
As mentioned several days ago, Lisbon is a city of museums. There isn’t time to visit all, so let’s go to the highly regarded Gulbenkian Museum. Here we will find a wealthy man’s collection of paintings, sculpture, rugs and decorative art. At one time Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, who lived the last 13 years of his life in Portugal, negotiated with the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. as a potential home for this outstanding collection, but it ended up in Lisbon where a specially built facility ensured that it would be kept under one roof.
There are many beautiful things here, but being a fiber person, I am enchanted by the textiles, an example of which is this embroidered Japanese hanging. Can you imagine the ability, to say nothing of the time, it would take to create such an intricate pattern with needle and thread?
Next stop Sintra, a beautiful town in the mountains near Lisbon, which was the summer retreat for Portuguese royalty whose reign ended in 1910. In the royal dwelling, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, two things make a special impression.
One is the painted wood ceilings,
more primitive than frescoed ceilings and charming in their own right.
The other is the tile work done on many of the palace’s wall surfaces and is evidence of Portugal’s long history of tile making.
Imagining the effort that went into the painting of each tile so as to create a cohesive whole is overwhelming.
Though not typically described as art, these copper pots are pretty wonderful. Wouldn’t you like to have one or two of these?
Moving on to Spain, Bilbao is home to one of the five Guggenheim museums, and it is spectacular.
The exhibitions are impressive, but it is the Frank Gehry designed building that is the real work of art. (Thanks to the hubby for this terrific photo.)
One could spend hours here studying the building’s angles and interconnecting shapes and photographing it again and again to capture the changing hues of the titanium shingles.
This is a museum not to be missed!
On to Paris, also known for its museums, but rather than visit the familiar ones, let’s go to the Musee Jacquemart-Andre. Like the Gulbenkian, it represents the acquisitions of a wealthy person with the difference being that they are housed in the family’s residence.
Though the decor is not typical of today’s, it clearly represented the good taste and attention to detail of the mansion’s owners.
Again, fiber caught my attention, this time in the form of Gobelin tapestries woven by hand in the 18th century.
Aren’t we fortunate that art is such an important part of history?
Thanks for traveling with me today. We still have lots ahead of us.
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Lulu's Musings 
I had to start where I left off in my armchair travels with you! Gorgeous ceilings~ I’m always in awe of the design detail and artistry, hoping some where painted, then assembled/installed, otherwise what a crick in the neck 🙂
Ahh your lovely pictures of the palace in Sintra certainly take me back. We walked to it – big mistake! Took us an hour and a half in the baking sunshine, next time I’ll be taking the bus hehe…
That town Cintra looks just like where I live here in Cuenca, Ecuador, lol.. I love your post and I love Portugal, what a great trip! Love, love that piece of Japanese artwork, wow!! I also love all the tables and lovey dishes, such eye candy for me…dishes are always.. and specially Portuguese ones. Thanks for sharing and for your lovely visit. Hugs,
FABBY
Fabby, if where you live is like Sintra, then you are in a most charming environment.
Hi! What a beautiful share! I love the first ,embroidered piece of Japanese artwork. Thank you for sharing Portugal with us! Plus, loving to learn, you share some new things for me! 🙂 huggs, Dianna
Ok, I have to admit that I’m coveting All of the copper pots and the amazing tapestries…
You already know I adore Portugal… it’s been a while since we were in Lisbon and I see that since these places look amazing that I need to put it back on my travel wish list (too many places to see, not enough cash or lifetimes).
Amazing photos too !
I didn’t get to see nearly enough of Portugal and would like to go again some year.
Hi Lulu, I just wanted you to know that I nominated you for the Sunshine Award… one that is given to “bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere. You are not obligated to accept the award…but I hope you do. Please check out the link belowhttp://livingbeyondorganicmom.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/sunshine-in-my-soul/?preview=true&preview_id=208&preview_nonce=f50854b54c
Celina, what a delightful surprise….thank you. I like to think we all add a little sunshine with what we share.
So beautiful! Amazing architecture and your photos are fabulous. I have been to portugal, passed by Lisbon but mainly went to Fatima….Christine
An interesting mix of places to visit – all linked by art. I loved Sintra, charming and captivating. I have yet to visit the Guggenheim (s) in Bilbao and I really must it looks so stunning.
Yes, each place was quite different, each special in its own way. Do go to the Guggenheim if you have a chance.
Lovely to look at. An unreal sort of feeling to the buildings. Gorgeous!!
Glad you enjoyed the visit.
That Japanese wall hanging is magnificent!…..and love the wood painted ceilings…so much beauty in the museums…
Museums are such great recorders of history and beautiful things associated with the time. Thank goodness for them.