The house of private collections
There is little point in owning an impressive collection of artworks if you cannot display and share them with others. At least, that is what property development mogul and art collector Armando Martins believes.
Having started collecting art in his twenties, Martins’ collection now includes over 600 works ranging from the late 19th century to the present day.
It is an incredibly diverse and valuable collection that he has always dreamed of exhibiting in a gallery that would also function as a five-star hotel, a place where art would be accessible to everyone, and where guests could stay and immerse themselves in it.
His dream finally came true this year with the opening of MACAM – Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins, located in the former Palácio dos Condes da Ribeira Grande on Rua da Junqueira, halfway between Lisbon’s Alcântara and Belém neighbourhoods.
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This novel institution, the first of its kind in Portugal, opened last March under the motto “The House of Private Collections”.
Covering a total area of 13,000m2, the palace, which dates back to the early 18th century and hosted several schools until Martins acquired it, underwent a rehabilitation project led by MetroUrbe.
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The focus was on a careful and detailed restoration and preservation of the building’s areas and materials. In addition to the existing structure, a new wing was added to connect the palace to the modern exhibition space, featuring a façade clad in three-dimensional tiles designed by artist Maria Ana Vasco Costa.
This architectural gem features four galleries, a luxurious hotel, a cosy café, a fine-dining restaurant, and a bar inside a deconsecrated chapel.
Every space, including the communal areas, corridors, and the fully restored original library, showcases a carefully curated selection of artworks from the Martins collection.
Currently in its soft opening stage, the hotel has 64 rooms. Although they all offer a modern and peaceful atmosphere, each one has its own character with varied decoration styles, sizes, artwork, and some even boast terraces.
The understated luxury decor has been thoughtfully chosen: soft carpets by Ferreira de Sá add colour to the polished wooden floors, and large Naturalmat mattresses imported from the UK are dressed with silky Abyss & Habidecor sheets.
The marble-clad modern bathrooms include XL showers, many also offering a bath, and the amenities are provided by Benamôr, a historic Portuguese natural cosmetics brand.
Guests also have access to the rooftop infinity swimming pool overlooking the museum and its garden, the river, and the 25th of April Bridge, as well as a small but state-of-the-art gym with views of the bell tower.
A tasteful collection
Accessible to both guests and visitors are MACAM’s café, fine-dining restaurant, and bar.
The MACAM Café offers light meals and a selection of homemade pastries and breads prepared by pastry chef Lara Figueiredo.
The restaurant, Contemporâneo Food & Wine, is led by chef Tiago Valente, who draws inspiration from MACAM’s collection to create dishes that reinterpret traditional Portuguese cuisine.
The àCapela Live Arts & Bar, situated in the 18th-century chapel, is the city’s new nightlife spot. Perfect for cocktails, bar snacks, and live music, it is organised across three levels: a ground-floor lounge with a bar and stage for performances, behind which a panel by Spanish artist Carlos Aires conceals an impressive crucifix and video projection, a mezzanine, and an exclusive lounge for hotel guests beneath the cupola.
Visiting the galleries
The permanent exhibition, titled “A Collection in Two Chapters”, located on the ground floor of the palace, is curated by Adelaide Ginga (the museum’s director) and Carolina Quintela.
It features a range of modern and contemporary artworks by both Portuguese and international artists, acquired with the collection’s two phases in mind: the first phase, which began in 1974, focused solely on Portuguese art, especially the artistic movements of the 20th century; and the second phase, starting in 2000, when the founder decided to also turn his attention to international contemporary art.
Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, Paula Rego, Julião Sarmento, Pedro Cabrita Reis, Almada Negreiros, Juan Muñoz, Pedro Reyes, and Marina Abramović are among the notable names in this extensive collection.
Highlights include a painting of Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa by Júlio Pomar, Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso’s Música Surda (Muted Music), and, a favourite of founder Armando Martins, A Mulher da Laranja (The Woman with the Orange) by Eduardo Viana, which inspired one of chef Tiago Valente’s creations.
Alongside the permanent exhibition, MACAM also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, located in the new wing of the complex.
On display until October 13, War: Reality, Myth, and Fiction is a notable highlight.
It brings together a series of works from the MACAM collection, aiming to explore the fragility of life and the complexities of the world during times of greater uncertainty.
Another exhibition, running until September 15, is Anthropocene: In Search of a New Human?.
Reflecting on the impact of human activity on the planet, this exhibition also features works from the MACAM collection by various Portuguese and international artists.
Meanwhile, a project called “Murmur” was created for the grand hall of the temporary exhibitions building, inviting emerging artists to create site-specific works.
Throughout the venue, there is also space for customised works by renowned artists such as Carlos Aires, José Pedro Croft, Angela Bulloch, and Cristina Ataíde.
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