Desafios da Divulgação do Património Arte Nova em Portugal

Abstract

As soon as it was replaced by new architecture practice and decoration design taste, Art Nouveau fell into the limbo of past fashions, becoming so depreciated that many works of art were destroyed. Like the international movement that rescued Art Nouveau, in Portugal its reappreciation begun with the first Art History studies made since the 50’s and became stronger after the listing of Art Nouveau buildings started in the 70’s. Since, Art Nouveau has come a long way that allowed it to escape the academic and official institutes instances and that gave this heritage the opportunity to become known by a wider public. In this chapter, we aim to portray how diffusion and promotion of Art Nouveau related heritage has been done. Listing the initiatives that have been implemented as well as which entities were decisive in those processes are among this portrayal’s main aspects. The relevance of knowing this evolution lies on the contribution it brings to the comprehension of how Art Nouveau is appreciated in Portugal nowadays by both responsible entities and society. It also allows identifying some lingering misconceptions about Art Nouveau, thus underlining the importance of its promotion and, also, of improving the Art Nouveau knowledge.