Fragments of Colour

Lisbon's tiles are a truly iconic element of the city, which was long an important centre for the production and consumption of this type of ceramics.

The Museum of Lisbon has a vast collection of tiles. Their sheer number, variety and quality is such that this is one of the most important collections in Portugal, made up primarily of tiles from buildings that have been demolished or refurbished, ruins or archaeological digs.

The exhibition Fragments of Colour: Tiles of the Museum of Lisbon, curated by José Meco, one of the most highly renowned experts in this field, sought to raise the profile of this important collection by displaying some of its finest pieces. It took a diachronic approach leading visitors from the 16th century through to the present day, featuring pieces from inside and outside buildings, and exemplifying different styles and functions.   

As an inexhaustible source of creation and re-creation, tiles continue to exert influence on the whole gamut of artistic expression even today, all the way through to fashion design and urban art. Innovative tilework panels and façades are also seeing newfound popularity in architectural design.

A video made for the exhibition covers various forms of creative expression, with the colour, sheen and light of the tiles invariably combined to captivating effect. 

More information here