The exhibition Arte Britânica no Século XX [British Art in the 20th Century], was held by the British Council, as requested by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (FCG).

The aim was to introduce in Portugal a set of significant works of art produced in the United Kingdom during the 20th century that represented several artistic movements, and raise awareness to the importance of art scholarships granted by the FCG in their development:

“(...) our aim would be to send representative works of twenty artists of this century (about three apiece). We would also take the opportunity to show how the Gulbenkian grant is being spent and the practical purpose it serves. About half the paintings in an exhibition on these lines would be representational in the traditional sense and about half would be abstract. (...)” (Letter from Lord Bridges to José de Azeredo Perdigão, 26 Jan. 1960, Gulbenkian Archives, SBA 15339).

The 90 works presented were chosen by a Selection Committee that included “the Director of The National Gallery of London, the Professor of Art History of The Courtauld Institute, London University, the President of the Institute of Contemporary Arts, the former President of the Tate Gallery Foundation and the Director of the Fine Arts Department of the British Council” (Note for the press, 13 Feb. 1962, Gulbenkian Archives, SBA 15339).

The architect José Sommer Ribeiro and the painter Fernando de Azevedo, both from the FCG, were entrusted with the conception of the museum project of this event, due to the success of their previous collaboration in the II Exposição de Artes Plásticas (1961) [II Plastic Arts Exhibition]: 

“(...) And it is of no lesser importance to underline that the true spirit of a healthy and willing cooperation from both [Fernando de Azevedo and Sommer Ribeiro] gave evident proof, because such atmosphere is indeed a reassurance of what more can be expected from a team that prospered so well the first time [II Plastic Arts Exhibition]. Therefore, we are convinced that we should hire again the painter Fernando de Azevedo, since his replacement would create a problematic situation as it would be necessary to form a new team” (our translation). (Note from the Fine Arts Department, 19 Feb. 1962, Gulbenkian Archives, SBA 15339)

This exhibition would still have a short itinerancy between February and April of 1962, first being displayed in Lisbon (Sociedade Nacional de Belas-Artes), followed by its installation in Coimbra (Associação Académica) and in Porto (Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis).

As part of this exhibition, three lectures on British art in the 20th century were organised, given by the Director of the Fine Arts Department of the British Council, Gerald M. Forty.