In 1953, the banker and collector Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva donated the 17th century Azurara Palace and part of his private collection to the Portuguese State.
The FRESS (the Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva Foundation) was born with the purpose to protect and promote the Portuguese decorative arts and crafts. The Foundation holds a museum (The Museum of Portuguese Decorative Arts) and a department/school teaching technical and scientific skills in the area of decorative arts, traditional crafts, conservation and restoration. They also offer workshops.
We will start with a guided tour of the permanent collection of the museum with it’s displays of antiques, art objects, silverware and paintings dating back to the 18th century. This will be followed by a guided tour through the Department of Conservation and Restoration of the Foundation. We will witness highly qualified restaurators taking care of precious furniture and art pieces, learning more about furniture restoration.
Contact Martina on designatemember.iwp@gmail.com
