On my way to York via Porto and Liverpool - Porto, Soares dos Reis Museum - The garden - The 4th of September 2016

(...)

I decided to visit the Palace of Carrancas' inner garden-like patio I had seen from the upper floors during the visit to the Museum. Its walls are covered in beautiful blue and white glazed tiles covering a wide variety of themes, which I ended up taking pictures to as I patiently waited for my lunch in the open-air Café restaurant located in its premises.

 

 

 

 

I felt it had been a rather intensive morning though the Museum  was well worth the visit. Because of it being the first Sunday of the month it was entirely free (an additional bonus that added a touch of graciousness to the richness of what I had the privilege to see).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On my way to York via Porto and Liverpool - Porto, Soares dos Reis Museum (cont.) - The decorative porcelain, silverware, Oriental and Music galleries; the stairways' work of Art - The 4th of September 2016

(...)

I continued strolling around the premises and into the various galeries on the upper floor of this magnificent eighteenth century palace, which once belonged to a rich Northern family and was later bought by the crown to house the collections which now pertain to the Museum of Soares dos Reis.

At the top of the staircase leading to the first floor stood a rather exquisite metal sculpture of a horse, which according to the information provided is named The presence of History - 2007.

The decorative porcelain and china tableware gallery was quite interesting particularly in regards to the designs on some of the plates. Two in particular caught my attention. The fat figures on them apparently depict two well known siblings (Mateu and Ana) who were often exhibited at fairs in 1842, as some sort of "attraction" (but who would want to have these on their plates, I wonder ! ... ).

The Virgin with the Child - 17th century faïence sculpture(right)

The Oriental Art gallery was also particularly interesting with all of the intricate pieces of furniture on display, as well as the Namban painted screens. Textiles were equally worth noting and so were the instruments and artefacts in the Music gallery.

Japanese Namban screen - Momoyama period (1600-1610)

Tapestry from Beauvais, France depicting Vasco da Gama's return from India - 18th century wool and silk (one of a set of three).

The flute player - polychromous wooden sculpture - 18th century.






As I walked down I took a last look at the metal horse, which was definitely eye catching.

(To be continued)

On my way to York via Porto and Liverpool - Porto, Soares dos Reis Museum (cont.) - Paintings by Marques de Almeida, João Vaz, José Malhoa, Silva Porto and Augusto Roquemont - The 4th of September 2016

(...)

I then came across another group of Portuguese painters I was thoroughly impressed with, especially because many depicted locals and daily life scenes, thus providing the viewers with a more complete insight on what life was like in those days. 

Landscape (left) and Napolitan girl - 1877 (right) by Marques de Almeida.

Portrait of a young lady (left) and Seamstresses working - 1884 (right).

Cephalus and Procris - 1879 by Marques de Almeida

River Sado - 1887 (left) and Boats in the river - 1887 (right) by João Vaz.

The medicine (left) and The island of Love (right) by José Malhoa.

 

Portrait of the actress Virgínia - 1893 by António Ramalho.

Along the river Douro in Areinho (left) and Sargaço picking -1881 (right) by Silva Porto.

Apple tree in blossom -1893 by Silva Porto

Venice Canal - 1877 (left) and The broken bowl (right) by Silva Porto.

 

Mending the fishing nets by the quay - Italy - 1877 (left) and Póvoa - 1888 (right) by Silva Porto.

Wheatfield in the outskirts of Paris - 1878-79 (left) and The harvest reapers - 1893 (right) by Silva Porto.

 

Banks of the Oise in Auvers - 1876 by Silva Porto.

Selling fish (left) and The procession - 1838-42 (right) by Augusto Roquemont (1804-1852).

Portrait of an old lady by Augusto Roquemont.

(To be continued)