Lisboa - Seculo XVIII (Lisbon – 18th century), UNNY215G, 1996, Portugal
Title

Lisboa - Seculo XVIII (Lisbon – 18th century)

Gift ID: 
UNNY215G

This ceramic tile panel is strongly reminiscent of many tile panels in the “Museu Nacional do Azulejo"" (National Tile Museum) in Lisbon, Portugal, as this ceramic tile itself is a form of azulejo (a traditional coloured, glazed tile).  The panel design is a view of mid-18th century Lisbon seen from the River Tagus (Rio Tejo) when there was intense trade with ships returning to Europe from the Far East bringing spices. During that epoch, the port of Lisbon was one of the most important gateways to Europe, and Portugal grew rich on the trade between Asia and Europe. Many azulejos chronicle major events and cultural aspects of Portuguese history.

The art of the azulejo, word derived from the Arabic ""al-zuleycha"" meaning small stone, is a legacy of Islamic culture on the Iberian Peninsula. Tiles are an important decorative expression of Portuguese art and produce rich visual effects for both the inside and outside of buildings. They are not only beautiful, but they also keep rooms cooler in the summer.
Susana Bretes (1954 – ) is a Portuguese artist who trained and has had many years of experience in ceramic tile painting.

Donor Region: 
Western European and Other Groups
Donor: 
Portugal
Classification: 
Artifacts & Decorative Arts
Materials: 
Ceramic
Medium: 
Painted ceramic tile
Location (Building): 
Conference Building (CB)
Location floor: 
4th Floor
Donation Date: 
September 10, 1996
Artist or Maker: 
Susana Bretes
Dimensions: 
55 ¼ x 111 x 1 ¾ in.