Since the Museu do Caramulo is now closed to the public to undergo a revamp that will consist of the refurbishment of its gallery spaces, a selection of its most emblematic works of art will be brought to Lisbon and made available to this city’s museum visitors. This initiative’s main purpose will be to make these gems, unknown to many, accessible to a greater number of people. Thus, works by Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, Maria Helena Vieira da Silva and Eduardo Viana are joined by the first Picasso to be exhibited in Portugal, but also by beautiful examples of old painting, with emphasis on works by artists such as Grão Vasco, Isembrandt, Quentin Metsys and Frei Carlos. Decorative arts works are also added to this selection, like one of the tapestries in the series known as “In the manner of Portugal and India”, rare pieces of Chinese porcelain and Namban works of art. Enriching this set of works can be found some creations of young artists recently incorporated in the Museu do Caramulo’s collections. Automobiles are also an unavoidable subject as far as this museum is concerned. Therefore, its cars collection, unique in Portugal, will be evoked by a miniature model of a Bugatti, one of the most beautiful classics in the world auto industry.

Born from the utopian idea of Abel de Lacerda (1921-1957) - who in just four years (1953-1957) brought together an invaluable collection of art - the Museu do Caramulo is right at the center of the old sanatorium resort of Serra do Caramulo in the district of Viseu. After Abel Lacerda’s death, the project was carried out by his brother, João de Lacerda (1923-2003), and the museum was inaugurated in 1959. João de Lacerda combined the love his brother had for the fine arts with his own passion for “classic” automobiles and the excellent collection of bicycles that he had gathered and exhibited in a space next to the building that houses the Museum.

Along with the opening of the exhibition and with the intention of commemorating the centenary of Abel Lacerda's birth, a documentary dedicated to the collector and the man who envisioned the Museu do Caramulo will be premiered.