In this exhibition, the Museum adopts a fresh approach to the presentation of a group of key works of art brought together by Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian during the course of his life. The exhibition, opening on the 70th anniversary of the Collector’s death, reflects how Gulbenkian collected and displayed these works in his home – organically, without geographical or chronological divisions. His vision and taste transcended disciplines, combining and juxtaposing eras and regions.

Embracing this eclectic and interconnected vision, we have turned the Museum’s closure for remodelling into an opportunity to explore new museological perspectives and solutions.

Thus, rather than beginning in Ancient Egypt as usual, the exhibition starts in the twentieth century, tracing Gulbenkian’s journey as a collector, particularly his interest with Art Deco. Here, the Lalique collection and the rarely exhibited Dunand screen take centre stage.

René Lalique’s work bridges European and Japanese art, which, along with painting and books, evokes a central theme found throughout this display: the representation of the natural world.

European and Chinese arts of the 18th century, which deeply fascinated Gulbenkian, reflect the cultural exchange and global trade that influenced their production. This theme continues a common thread in the collections of Islamic art and European painting from the sixteenth- and seventeenth-centuries.

The medieval section focuses on the circulation of artworks across the Mediterranean and the Silk Road, highlighting both the differences and similarities in the objects produced within these two contexts.

Finally, Antiquity, which in our Collection spans over 5,000 years of human history, underscores the Collector’s fascination with the influence of classical iconography on the artworks showcased throughout the exhibition and the dialogue between history and art.

The exhibition concludes with an installation based on the safe where Calouste Gulbenkian kept his collection of jewellery and other treasures. This safe encapsulates the very essence of the exhibition, reflecting the eclecticism that defined Gulbenkian’s taste throughout his life.