Since Saturday, May 10th, Casa Duarte Pinto Coelho has been home to a new permanent exhibition. For the first time, objects from the various collections of the acclaimed Portuguese decorator and collector – dating back as far as the 17th century – are being shown together, grouped into five themed sections.
The first is Marqueterie, an ancient decorative technique used to embellish furniture and other objects through inlays of precious stones, intricate patterns and a mix of decorative materials.
Next up are the Neapolitan Volcanoes – a collection of paintings from the Naples region capturing Mount Vesuvius, part of a local artistic tradition that emerged in the 18th century. Duarte Pinto Coelho began collecting these gouache and oil works in the 1950s.
There is also a section dedicated to Liturgical Vestments. A devout Christian, Pinto Coelho sought to decorate his private chapel in the Spanish province of Cáceres with historical textiles spanning centuries and liturgical styles. Most are Baroque in design, reflecting the period of triumph of the Roman Catholic Church. The fourth section also has a religious thread: Nuns’ Needlework, a 19th-century collection of devotional objects – many with floral motifs – offering a fascinating insight into the anthropological and ethnographic legacy of the time.
Finally, Painted Glass from the Red Room features Chinese paintings on glass that echo Western art styles while also portraying distinctly local themes, from Eastern landscapes to great battles and everyday life.
The exhibition is housed in the former guards' residence of the Condes de Castro Guimarães Palace, part of Cascais’ Museum Quarter since its opening in 2013. Entry is free.
Avenida Rei Humberto II de Itália. Tue–Sun 10am–6pm. Free