Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Museum

Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Museum (Museu Bordalo Pinheiro) is a municipal museum in Lisbon, Portugal, devoted entirely to the life and work of the artist Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro (1846–1905). It sits in the Campo Grande area, in the north of the city, and is one of the places in the capital where satire, illustration and ceramics meet under one roof.

Who was Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro?

Bordalo Pinheiro was a prolific Portuguese artist. He worked in ceramics, sculpture, illustration and caricature, and he was also active in literature. He founded several periodicals in which he could publish his own illustrations and cartoons. His best-known creation is Zé Povinho, a rustic, working-class everyman who became an enduring symbol of the Portuguese people and a vehicle for social and political commentary.

What can you see in the museum?

The core of the collection is his graphic art: cartoons, drawings, illustrations and watercolours. Alongside the work of Rafael, the museum presents the graphic output of his son, Manuel Gustavo Bordalo Pinheiro. There is also an important ceramics collection and a specialised library. In total the holdings run to more than 13,000 pieces, so the museum is a serious research resource as well as a place for a relaxed visit.

Visitors who come for caricature will find how sharply the artist observed the politics and society of his day. Those interested in decorative arts can follow his ceramic work, which shows the same humour and inventiveness as his drawings.

How did the museum come about?

In 1913 the architect Álvaro Augusto Machado (1874–1944) was commissioned to design a villa in Campo Grande, intended to house the collection. The museum opened to the public in 1916, at first using only the first floor. A remodelling in 1922 added new exhibition rooms.

The founder wanted to leave the collection and the museum to the city of Lisbon, and this was fulfilled in 1924. After renovation works the museum reopened in 1926 under the ownership of Lisbon City Council, remodelled and enlarged on the ground floor. It has been a municipal institution ever since.

Who is it for?

The museum suits anyone curious about Portuguese cultural history, fans of political cartoons and illustration, and people who enjoy ceramics. It is also a good choice if you want to see a side of Lisbon beyond the historic centre, in a residential district with a park nearby.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Museum? In Lisbon, in the Campo Grande area, in a villa designed by Álvaro Augusto Machado.

What is the museum about? It is entirely dedicated to Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro and shows his caricatures, drawings, illustrations, watercolours and ceramics, together with works by his son Manuel Gustavo.

Who is Zé Povinho? A character created by Bordalo Pinheiro: a rustic, working-class Portuguese everyman used in his satirical cartoons.

How big is the collection? More than 13,000 pieces, plus a specialised library.

Is the museum public? Yes. It has been owned by Lisbon City Council since 1924 and is run as a municipal museum. Check current opening hours and ticket prices with the museum before your visit.