The museum, which displays the impressive private collection of Calouste Gulbenkian, was inaugurated in 1969. Its architecture reflects modern concepts of museum design, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding park. Recently, the permanent exhibition space underwent renovation by the architect Paul Vandebotermet to simplify and reorganize the displays. The museum is open to the public and features exhibits on Egyptian, Graeco-Roman, and Islamic art, as well as European painting from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The painting collection includes works by renowned artists such as Rubens, Rembrandt, Manet, and Degas. The museum also has a notable sculpture section, with a focus on pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries, Renaissance tapestry, and French furniture from the Louis XV and Louis XVI periods. The architects, Ruy Jervis Athouguia, Alberto Pessoa, Pedro Cid, Gonçalo Ribeiro Teles, and António Barreto, designed the building and gardens as a cohesive whole, winning the Valmor Prize in 1975 for their work, which included the gardens. Visitors can use computer points to access information about the works on display, the collector, the museum building, and its services and activities.

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