The founder

Collector, poet, pamphleteer, critic and humorist, Artur Ernesto de Santa Cruz Magalhães (1864-1928) took an active part in the intellectual movements and circles of his time, frequented by poets, humorists, painters and politicians. He was the author of a diverse range of works, from literature to poetry and criticism. Twice married and with no offspring, he devoted his life to political, social, cultural and philanthropic causes, and was regarded as an eccentric. With a sentimental attitude to the simple aspects of life, he had a particular fondness for animals, as demonstrated by his dedication to his ‘loyal friend Hermínio’, an Estrela Mountain Dog.

A comfortable financial situation allowed him to exercise his philanthropic vocation, revealed in his countless donations to charitable institutions, as shown by receipts from the ledgers of the Museu ao Asilo de São João and the Portuguese Red Cross, as well as his bequest to the city of Lisbon (1924) of the entire museum collection and the villa that still houses it today.

Cruz Magalhães’ interest in Bordalo’s work and its promotion inspired the ‘Bordalian salon’, encouraged the holding of temporary thematic exhibitions, and led to reflection on both Bordalo’s work and personality. The involvement of friends, individuals and family members of the artist contributed decisively to the erection of a monument to Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro in the garden at Campo Grande (1921) and the changing of the old street name Largo da Abegoaria, where the artist died, to Largo Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, not to mention enhancing the artistic and bibliographical estate of the museum as a result of important gifts, legacies and donations. Among the personal friends and those from the salon linked to the ‘Bordalian’ circle were Sebastião de Magalhães Lima, republican journalist and pamphleteer; José Malhoa, creator of various portraits of the writer; António Carneiro, who also painted a portrait of the writer; Francisco Valença, caricaturist and admirer of Bordalo’s work; Luís Xavier da Costa, researcher, art critic and essayist, as well as Manuel Gustavo and Helena, Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro’s children, who enriched the museum collection with important donations.