Exhibition PORTRETO DE LA ANIMO ART BRUT ETC.

The Soares dos Reis National Museum, in partnership with the São João da Madeira City Council, o Oliva Art Center and collectors António Saint Silvestre and Richard Treger, with the support of Circulo Dr. José de Figueiredo, presents an exhibition of portraits and self-portraits that are part of the Treger Saint Silvestre Collection, one of the most important and extensive private collections of Art Brut in the world.

Based on the Esperanto expression portreto de la animo – which in Portuguese means “portrait of the soul” –, the exhibition will provide a meeting between works from the collection of the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis and the Treger Saint Silvestre collection, stored at the Centro de Olive Art. Portraits and self-portraits present themselves as tools for exploring the inner world and its multiple expressions.

Enjoying the work of art is complemented by a program of activities for different audiences. We highlight the moments of reflection and debate on the connection between art and mental health, a theme that runs through most of the works on display.

Richard Treger and António Saint Silvestre began their collection inspired by the journey started by Jean Dubuffet, a pioneer in collecting artistic productions that become narratives of the unconscious. For the first time, they present their Portrait Gallery at Soares dos Reis National Museum.

The exhibition has the patronage support of the Millenium bcp Foundation and Lusitânia Seguros, as well as the institutional support of the Dr. José de Figueiredo Circle – Friends of the Soares dos Reis National Museum.