Museu da Fundação Cupertino de Miranda – Centro Português do Surrealismo

About the museum

The Fundação Cupertino de Miranda (Cupertino de Miranda Foundation) was established on 2 October 1963, on the initiative of Arthur Cupertino de Miranda and his wife, and from the outset gave attention to the visual arts. The museum opened on 8 December 1972, with the group exhibition of the 1st National Biennial of Young Artists, and began with works donated by the founders and by João Meireles.

In the 1990s João Meireles donated 123 works, mainly by authors linked to Surrealism, and the collection became increasingly specialised in that movement through purchase, donation and bequest. In 1999 the Centro de Estudos do Surrealismo (Surrealism Study Centre) was created, later expanded and repositioned as the Centro Português do Surrealismo (Portuguese Surrealism Centre). The collection now has more than 3000 works, Portuguese and international, mostly from the 20th century, and includes the estates of Mário Cesariny and Cruzeiro Seixas. The museum has been part of the Portuguese Museum Network since 2003.

The route climbs through the floors of the building and includes temporary exhibitions and permanent spaces devoted to Mário Cesariny, Cruzeiro Seixas, Julio and Fernando Lemos, as well as the triptych “A Vida: Esperança, Amor, Saudade” (Life: Hope, Love, Longing) by António Carneiro. The Torre Literária (Literary Tower), in the same building, presents Portuguese literature and has its own guided tours and audio guide.

Highlights

• Largest collection of Portuguese Surrealist art, with more than 3000 works
• Space and room dedicated to Mário Cesariny
• Permanent rooms for Cruzeiro Seixas, Julio and Fernando Lemos
• Triptych “A Vida: Esperança, Amor, Saudade”, by António Carneiro
• Torre Literária on Portuguese literature
• Audio guide in the Foundation's app, in four languages

Permanent exhibitions

• Espaço Mário Cesariny – Room dedicated to Mário Cesariny, with works by the artist and twelve photographs of the interior of his house, taken in 2003 by Duarte Belo.
• Sala Cruzeiro Seixas – Selection of works by Cruzeiro Seixas, one of the leading names of Surrealism in Portugal, from the collection he himself helped to build.
• Tríptico «A Vida: Esperança, Amor, Saudade» – Space devoted to the work of António Carneiro, donated by the founders in 1977 and considered a landmark of Portuguese Symbolism.

Founded

1972

Operated by

Fundação Cupertino de Miranda

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Morning of the first Monday of each month

Prices include VAT. Free admission also for holders of the Amigo FCM/CPS card. Tickets can be bought at the Foundation's box office or online.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance has a ramp and there are two lifts; at reception a wheelchair is available, and there is a platform lift to the auditorium. The adapted toilet is on the ground floor. Between floors 2 and 7 in the tower, access is limited by stairs and slight slopes; the lifts serve the presentation rooms and the access to the permanent exhibition. Assistance dogs are accepted. The education service organises activities for people with motor or cognitive difficulties, by booking.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Entry is free up to the age of 12 and there is a family ticket. The education service offers visits, art workshops and programmes for families and organised groups.

Getting there & parking

Access via the A3 and A7 motorways.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop and shop in the building, with the same hours as the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit