Municipal Museum Abel Manta

The Museum is situated in a building from the seventies, the old Solar of the Vinhó e Almedina Counts, whom sponsored Abel Manta’s artistic studies. Composed of seven permanent exhibit rooms and one for temporary exhibitions, an art library, educational services, reception and store, this museum contains the main works of art of Abel Manta and also of well-known artists, such as Vieira da Silva, Joaquim Rodrigo, Júlio Resende, Júlio Pomar, Menéz and Paula Rego. For all that’s been said, this is a place worth visiting.

He is a Portuguese painter from de 20th Century, well-known in Portugal and worldwide. He was born in Gouveia on the 12th October 1888 and studied painting at Escola de Belas Artes, in Lisbon. In 1919 he moves to Paris, where he keeps up with his artistic studies. He returns to Lisbon in 1925 and the year after starts teaching at a technical school in Funchal. Back in Lisbon in 1927, he gets married with Clementina Carneiro Manta and the year after is born his only son, João Abel Manta. Being the winner of many individual prices, he was also responsible for recreating Portugal’s image across Europe, namely by decorating Portugal’s pavilion in the Seville Exhibit, in 1929, and in exhibitions in Paris, in 1931 and 1937. He died in the 9th August 1982, in Lisbon. 

Located in the Museum’s backyard, this is a cultural place with the aim of bringing out the Culture and History of Gouveia, preserving the memories of the people of Gouveia and exposing their cultural roots. After being modernized, the place has gained new dignity and many works have gained greater visibility. These works are included in a permanent exhibit of sacred art, inheritance of Cardinal Mendes Belo, as well as a part of Gouveia’s Synagogue, from 1496.