Preservation and Conservation of Former Fine Arts Fellows’ Reports
Created from 1957 onward as part of the foundation’s scholarship programme, these documents go far beyond their administrative purpose, offering unique insights into the experiences, journeys, and creative processes of some of the most significant figures in contemporary Portuguese art.
Each report is a unique piece that may include texts, images, photographs, original drawings and even materials such as ceramics or fabrics. The fragility of these supports and the advanced deterioration of many documents – combined with their historical and artistic relevance –prompted the creation of this project.
The conservation work followed a careful and balanced approach, aiming to preserve both the physical integrity and the authenticity of the reports. The marks, layouts, and intentions of their creators were respected, ensuring that their artistic and documentary value remained intact. As a result, the necessary conditions for readers of the Art Library and Gulbenkian Archives to access and consult these materials are now also guaranteed.
More than 300 reports have already undergone conservation treatment, including those produced by artists such as Paula Rego, Cruzeiro Seixas, Nadir Afonso, Lurdes Castro, Espiga Pinto, Alberto Carneiro, João Cutileiro, Menez, Ana Hatherly, Fernando Calhau, João Segurado, among many others.
The initiative not only preserves invaluable artistic and documentary heritage, but also restores visibility to creative paths that shaped the country’s cultural landscape, while highlighting the Foundation’s philanthropic legacy in the field of art. It is a project that reaffirms the commitment of the Art Library and Gulbenkian Archives to art and knowledge.