SCULPTURES OF THE MUSEU NACIONAL DE ARTE ANTIGA AT LISBON (1884–2024)

MUSEOLOGICAL SACRALIZATION AND CULTURAL BIOGRAPHY OF THE OBJECTS

Abstract

This article, stemming from a public presentation at the 13th International Congress of Devotional Sculpture (CEIB) in Penedo, Alagoas, on October 10, 2024, urges readers to consider the museological sacralization of sculptures at the National Museum of Ancient Art (MNAA) in Lisbon over its 140-year legacy. Grounded in the concept of the cultural biography of objects, the article compellingly explores how religious sculptures, initially crafted for devotional use, gain new significance within the contemporary museum. By delving into their historical provenances, the evolution of museographic practices, and the strategies of curators, this work demonstrates that their presence in the museum not only conserves their artistic heritage aura but also transforms their symbolic sacralization, fostering a dynamic environment for research, mediation, and the sharing of knowledge.