Calouste Gulbenkian Museum Collections

Among the best Calouste Gulbenkian Museum collections is of Greco-Roman Art, which is a collection of items found in 1902 in Abuquir, Egypt. The collection covers a huge range of Greek medallions and coins, jewellery and gems, glass and ceramics, and numerous artefacts from antiquity. Popular items on display in this section include gold and silver Greek coins and vases from 5th and 4th centuries BCE. You can also see Macedonian medallions, Roman glass, and Roman gems here.

One of the smaller but unique Calouste Gulbenkian Museum collections is the Mesopotamian Art collection, where you can see artefacts from the Mesopotamian Civilisation. The highlight of the collection is an Assyrian low relief that dates to the 9th century BCE. The relief was brought into the museum from the iconic palace of Assumazirpal and is an incredible depiction of Bronze Age art. The artefact is among the earliest examples of relief art in the ancient civilisation.

Discover the depth of Calouste Gulbenkian’s interest in Eastern Islamic Art as you explore the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum collections. The collection covers an extensive range of decorative artworks from Persia, India, Turkey, Syria, and the Caucasus from the 12th to the 18th centuries CE. The artefacts showcase traditional styles of art from their native regions, many of which have not survived to date. Popular objects here include paintings, carpets, covers, crockery items, tiles, vases, and lamps.

Calouste Gulbenkian’s Armenian heritage finds space of importance in the small but significant Armenian Art collections of Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. The collection focuses primarily on illuminated manuscripts that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries and also include liturgical gospels. The prominent attractions here are an Illuminated Bible from the seventeenth century and the Four Gospels from the sixteenth century. The collection also has stunning 18th-century Turkish bowls and lamps on display.

The diversity of Calouste Gulbenkian Museum collections comes alive at the Far Eastern Art section, where you can see artefacts from China and Japan. The collection is significant as it includes iconic Chinese porcelain and Japanese lacquer objects. You can see porcelain objects like plates, cups, dishes and jars from the Ming, Yuan, and Qing dynasties on display. The section also has Japanese Inros and writing boxes along with other objects from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Witness the evolution of art over several centuries as you explore the collections of Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. Paintings in the museum primarily belong to the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries and showcase the styles of major artists like Rembrandt and Rubens. You can also see paintings by 18th and 19th-century artists like Fragonard, Renoir, Monet, Degas, Turner, and Guardi. Some of the most famous paintings in the collection are Guardi’s ‘Regatta on the Grand Canal’ and Rembrandt’s ‘Pallas Athena’.

Famous as one of the most stunning Calouste Gulbenkian Museum collections, the Decorative Arts section has several European artefacts. As you enter here, the first display showcases the 16th-century Flemish and Italian tapestries. Exploring further, you will come across silver and gold pieces, fine furniture, tapestries, decorative utensils, clocks, cabinets, and other home décor items. Most exhibits were crafted by French artisans in the 18th century and are testament to the grandeur of the age.

Admire the beauty of medieval-era sculptures showcasing different art styles as you explore the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum collections. The sculptures at the museum belong to different historical eras, starting from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Apart from intricately crafted marble sculptures, you can also see Renaissance-era medals on display here. The most popular sculptures to see in the collection are the ones crafted by Pigalle, Jean de Liege, Andrea Della Robbia, Houdon, and Rodin.

Enjoy a glimpse into the grand library collections of Calouste Gulbenkian Museum as you explore the Art of the Book exhibits. The collection covers a series of precious and rare illuminated manuscripts, printed books, and bindings that were a part of Calouste Gulbenkian’s personal library. The editions are from the 12th century to the 20th century and are displayed on a rotational basis. Much of the collection is not found anywhere in the world.