A colecção de desenho antigo da Faculdade de Belas Artes de Lisboa - 1830-1935

Abstract

This dissertation work studies the Old Drawing Collection of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Lisbon, which congregates 1284 drawings, dated between 1830 and 1935, whose origins coincide with the creation of the former Academy of Fine Arts of Lisbon (founded by the decree of the 25th of October of 1836), that the current Faculty is heiress. The drawings proceed from the Aula Pública de Desenho, the former Academy and School of Fine-Arts of Lisbon, and the academies and ateliers of Paris and Rome. There can be found is this eclectic Collection: classroom exercises, competition drawings, proofs of admission for teaching at the Academy and School of Fine Arts of Lisbon, drawings of pensioners, drawings for an architecture work-book by José da Costa Sequeira and three projects for building a monument in memory of Duke of Bragança. These works are documents that witness the methods and models that were followed in teaching drawing as well the patterns of taste that prevailed in the academic circles of these institutions. We seek to understand how this Collection of drawings was formed and how this pieces came into the institution; in which contexts where this drawings done and who are the authors of this works. Similarly we seek to detail the main guides that were followed in teaching drawing at the two institutions mainly represent in this assortment of drawings – Aula Pública de Desenho and former Academy and School of Fine Arts of Lisbon. From the study of the documentary sources and workmanships, the Collection is analyzed according to the different disciplines of drawing: copy drawing from prints, ornaments, casts, anatomy and drawing from the live model: nude, drapery and portrait. Special attention is given for the presence of great masters of Portuguese Art as well to feminine artists. This study presents the Inventory of the Collection according to the actual museological rules and a database for its research and consultation. With the study of this Collection, we accomplished to recognize it’s historical, artistic and documentary value and identity as a museological object, and consequently enhance the artistic heritage of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Lisbon in its future Museum