Religious Art Museum

The interesting Religious Art Museum is located on the ancient building of the Episcopal Palace, housing a rich collection of painting, sculpture, Jewellery and liturgical objects from the 15th to the 19th century.

The the ancient building of the Episcopal Palace was built in the 16th century, yet had many alterations over the 17th and 18th centuries. From the primitive structure only the cloister facing north, also with some alterations, is left.

The Museum, inaugurated in 1955 is divided into two main nucleus: the Flemish Art, Painting, Sculpture and Jewellery since the end of the 15th century until the end of the first half of the 16th century; and the Portuguese Art Nucleus with Painting, Sculpture, Jewellery and liturgical objects from the beginning of the 16th century to the middle of the 18th century.

The Flemish Painting had its importance in Madeira Island as from the end of the 15th century, during the flourishing epoch of the Sugar production (at that time considered to be a luxury item), through the intense contacts established with Flanders.
These works of art are original mostly from Malines and Antwerp and are distinguished not only for their high quality but also for their big dimensions.
Some paintings are attributed to important names such as Dierick Bouts, Gerard David, Van Cleve, Mestre de Morrisson, Jean Provoost or Jean Gossaert of Mabuse

The Portuguese Painting collection presents highlights such as the “Ecce Homo” and the “Ascensão de Cristo”, attributed to Fernão Gomes, or even the “Magus Adoration”.
Many other pieces of art deserve special attention, in between amazing works of gold embroidery, religious jewellery, among many more.

Besides all these pieces of great artistic and historical value, the Museum also presents Educational and Pedagogic services, a Cafeteria and a Shop.