Maria João Vilhena de Carvalho

ESCULTURAS DO MUSEU NACIONAL DE ARTE ANTIGA DE LISBOA (1884-2024):

Introduction

Esculturas do museu nacional de arte antiga de lisboa (1884-2024): . Explore a sacralização museológica das esculturas do MNAA de Lisboa (1884-2024). Análise da biografia cultural e novos significados de obras devocionais no contexto do museu.

Abstract

Este artigo, partindo da apresentação pública no XIII Congresso Internacional da Escultural Devocional (CEIB, Penedo, Alagoas, 10 de outubro de 2024), propõe uma reflexão sobre a sacralização museológica das esculturas do Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (MNAA), em Lisboa, ao longo dos seus 140 anos de existência. Com base no conceito de biografia cultural dos objetos, analisa-se a forma como as esculturas religiosas, originalmente dotadas de função devocional, adquirem novos significados no contexto museológico contemporâneo. Por meio do estudo das suas proveniências, transformações museográficas e práticas curatoriais, demonstra-se como a integração no museu representa uma forma de sacralização patrimonial simbólica, fundamentada na conservação, investigação, mediação e partilha de conhecimento.

Review

This article offers a timely and insightful reflection on the "museological sacralization" of sculptures within the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (MNAA) in Lisbon. Spanning the museum's 140-year history, from its founding in 1884 to the present day, the study critically examines how objects, particularly religious sculptures originally imbued with a devotional function, undergo a profound transformation upon their integration into an institutional context. By grounding its analysis in the established concept of the cultural biography of objects, the paper establishes a robust theoretical foundation for understanding these shifts in meaning and purpose over time. The author meticulously traces this evolution by investigating several key aspects: the provenances of the sculptures, the significant museographic transformations they have experienced, and the evolving curatorial practices employed by the MNAA. This multi-faceted approach effectively demonstrates how these originally devotional pieces acquire new significance in a contemporary museological setting. The core argument posits that the museum's role extends beyond mere display, actively fostering a form of "symbolic heritage sacralization"—a process fundamentally underpinned by the institution's commitment to conservation, rigorous investigation, effective mediation, and the critical sharing of knowledge. This detailed examination provides a compelling framework for understanding the complex interplay between an object's original context and its reinterpretation within an institutional environment. Overall, this article presents a valuable contribution to the fields of museum studies, art history, and cultural heritage, particularly for its focused exploration of a significant Portuguese institution. Its clear theoretical framework, combined with a precise historical and analytical scope, makes a strong case for the museum as an active agent in reshaping the cultural and symbolic value of art objects. The research promises to be highly relevant for scholars and museum professionals interested in the interpretation of religious art, the ethics of display, and the broader understanding of heritage creation and management, offering a sophisticated perspective on the enduring power of objects within new institutional "sacred" spaces.

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