The Berardo – Museu Arte Deco (B-MAD) in the Alcântara district of Lisbon is an artistic treasure trove hiding in plain sight. Ten years after the opening of the Berardo Collection Museum (MAC/CCB), art collector and businessman Joe Berardo wanted to open another museum to showcase his impressive Art Deco and Art Nouveau collection. After several delays related to the renovations of B-MAD’s 18th-century building, the museum finally opened to the public on April 24, 2021.
History
When you stroll through the building where the B-MAD is located, you are walking through a wealth of history. Not only was the building the former residence of the Marquis of Abrantes but it was also once the residence of Nobel laureate António Egas Moniz and António José Pereira Flores, a notable physician and researcher.
In the 1920s, Flores collaborated with architect Raúl Lino to expand the building and accommodate his family. This renovation added two more floors and a viewpoint over the Tagus River. Additional changes had to be made due to the construction of the Salazar Bridge, named after the leader of the Estado Novo dictatorship, António de Oliveira Salazar. The bridge opened in 1966 and its name changed to the 25 de Abril Bridge after the dictatorship fell on April 25, 1974. The rich history of B-MAD’s building adds a unique context for the artworks on display.
Exhibition
B-MAD houses a significant collection of Art Nouveau and Art Deco objects presented together for the first time. Previously exhibited in various locations, including Porto, Sintra, and the Berardo Collection Museum in Belém, these collections now have their permanent home in Lisbon. The inaugural exhibition spans decorative arts from the late 19th century to the onset of World War II.
The museum’s layout, spread over two floors, begins with the Art Nouveau collection on the first floor and dedicates the second floor entirely to Art Deco.
The exhibition features works by renowned designers and artists such as René Lalique, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, and Jean-Michel Frank. Visitors can admire a diverse array of furniture, ironwork, glassware, ceramics, and more. Notable highlights include Ruhlmann’s drawings of the Casa de Serralves and over 5,000 original silverware drawings from the Porto-based jewelers Ourivesaria Reis & Filhos, which displays the meticulous craftsmanship of the era.
The museum also features a reception space, shop, and a secret garden with a beautiful terrace. Your stroll through the museum culminates in a wine tasting where you can savor fine wines in a charming Art Nouveau-inspired garden. Enjoy products from Bacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal while immersed in the ambiance of the Long 20s. And the best part? The wine tasting is included in the cost of your ticket!
How to Get to the B-MAD Museum
The B-MAD Museum Art Deco is located at Rua 1o de Maio, 28 in the Alcântara district of Lisbon.
Trams 15 and 18 stop at Largo do Calvário, which just a few minutes down the street from the museum. You can also take Buses 714 and 727. Buses and trams are free with the Lisboa Card.
Times & Tickets
The museum is open every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (the last visit to the museum is at 5:00 pm). The museum is closed on January 1 and December 25.
All visits are guided and are available at the following times: 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 5:00 pm. There is a maximum of 15 people per visit.
Tickets cost 6 euros and are free for children under 12 years old.
To book a visit, please contact (+351) 21 219 80 71 or email [email protected]
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