Museu Grão Vasco
Museu Grão Vasco
4.5
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4.5
338 reviews
Excellent
153
Very good
145
Average
31
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Mark H
Sonoma, CA2,524 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Located in the former bishops palace adjacent to the cathedral, the Museo Grao Vasco host a trove of historic and contemporary art treasures, the most important being the sixteenth century paintings of Vasco Fernades and his followers. The large painting of St Peter was my favorite. Painted on wood, the painting has the scenes, with St Peter, holding the key to heaven, depicted as a white gloved 16th century noble with arched views of Christ carrying the cross on his left, and fisherman on the right. There is also a set of 14 paintings depicting the life of Christ. They are arranged together with seven below and seven above. The lower ones are Vasco’s works and the ones above, his students. While all are stunning, the works of the master stand out. His superior compositions including deft use of color, blending of light and dark, and exquisite detail, look at the flowing garments, set him apart. He must be included with the greatest artist of his time.
The is also a small but worthwhile selection of contemporary art, and large selection of religious art from the medieval period and on. Carvings, tapestries, porcelains, and statuettes round out the eclectic offerings.
Highly recommended.
The is also a small but worthwhile selection of contemporary art, and large selection of religious art from the medieval period and on. Carvings, tapestries, porcelains, and statuettes round out the eclectic offerings.
Highly recommended.
Written 3 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlos B
Lisbon, Portugal251 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
If you want to know more ans more about Portuguese art, this is the right place to go in Viseu.
Inside the Bishop´s Palace you will find a very interesting museum where you can find some masterpieces of the Portuguese painters.
Excellent!
Inside the Bishop´s Palace you will find a very interesting museum where you can find some masterpieces of the Portuguese painters.
Excellent!
Written 23 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FiftyFifty5050
Montgomery, UK882 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
I must admit to not having heard of the artist, Vasco Fernandes, and so was interested to see the works on display in the Museu Grao Vasco.
Many of the exhibits were gathered together from the churches in the locale and the cathedral of Viseu, and I think this is a very good way to display the riches of the religious heritage of a city - let's face it, so many beautiful artefacts stay in their local churches and are never enjoyed fully by the public and this seems such an eminently sensible way to honour and preserve such treasures.
Staff at Reception were very friendly and helpful, spoke good Engish and were able to give us all the information we needed to make the most of our visit. Each room has an interactive display on a tablet, highlighting details of particular exhibits and some rooms had explanatory leaflets or sheets, where an English version was available.
The museum had been refurbished in the early 2000's and was light, clean and fresh and airy. Rooms were large and light, giving exhibits plenty of room for display and plenty of room for visitors to stand back and appreciate the works of art.
The works by Vasco Fernandes were, quite simply, stunning. Even if you don't approach them from a foundation of faith, you can appreciate the craftmanship and detail and the execution - one large picture with three smaller underneath - is an interesting concept.
At the end of the exhibition, there is a room where 12 paintings are displayed and, if you know your Bible, you can follow the story of Christ through from Conception to Death, Resurrection and Ascension, followed by Pentecost. A really powerful set of paintings, tastefully displayed.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. I don't think you necessarily have to be approaching it from a faith foundation to appreciate the range of items on display.
Would thoroughly recommend.
Many of the exhibits were gathered together from the churches in the locale and the cathedral of Viseu, and I think this is a very good way to display the riches of the religious heritage of a city - let's face it, so many beautiful artefacts stay in their local churches and are never enjoyed fully by the public and this seems such an eminently sensible way to honour and preserve such treasures.
Staff at Reception were very friendly and helpful, spoke good Engish and were able to give us all the information we needed to make the most of our visit. Each room has an interactive display on a tablet, highlighting details of particular exhibits and some rooms had explanatory leaflets or sheets, where an English version was available.
The museum had been refurbished in the early 2000's and was light, clean and fresh and airy. Rooms were large and light, giving exhibits plenty of room for display and plenty of room for visitors to stand back and appreciate the works of art.
The works by Vasco Fernandes were, quite simply, stunning. Even if you don't approach them from a foundation of faith, you can appreciate the craftmanship and detail and the execution - one large picture with three smaller underneath - is an interesting concept.
At the end of the exhibition, there is a room where 12 paintings are displayed and, if you know your Bible, you can follow the story of Christ through from Conception to Death, Resurrection and Ascension, followed by Pentecost. A really powerful set of paintings, tastefully displayed.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. I don't think you necessarily have to be approaching it from a faith foundation to appreciate the range of items on display.
Would thoroughly recommend.
Written 11 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zookro
Coimbra, Portugal245 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
Paintings by Grao Vasco and contemporaries, interesting. Other items like statues and tapestries. Interesting to see Chinese and Indian influences. The staff were very friendly and helpful. A pleasant way to dpend an hour or more.
Written 9 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gül Meryem K
21 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
A little nice museum just in the center ok Viseu. The entrence fee is very reasonable, worths to visit it.
Written 28 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SparkyHill
29 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
I really enjoyed our visit to this museum. I'm no expert in Renaissance art, and it wouldn't be my first choice of art to view, but there are some tremendous works in this small museum. There were plenty of very helpful staff on duty in the museum, who seemed to be genuinely pleased that people were enjoying the exhibits. Definitely worth an hour or two of your time if you have any interest in art.
Written 23 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LuizDutraNeto
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,570 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Vasco Fernandes (1475/1542), the "Grão Vasco", was one of the most accomplished Portuguese painters of his time. This museum offers a unique opportunity to admire masterpieces of his paintings, as well as of other artists belonging to the "Escola de Viseu", famous for its naturalism and the scenic backgrounds, with clear influence of the Flemish painters. At its third floor, visit the exhibition of masterpieces brought from the cathedral's main altar, including the "Last Supper", a painting by Gaspar Vaz, the great rival of Vasco Fernandes. The "Museu Grão Vasco" is located at the magnificent "Paço dos Três Escalões", the former Palace of the Bishops of Viseu, built in the 16th century, at the "Adro da Sé" - the monumental square at the historical center of Viseu (visit also the "Sé Catedral de Santa Maria de Viseu" and the "Igreja da Misericórdia" - all neighbors at the same square). Enjoy!.
Written 21 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pedro A
Lisbon, Portugal11 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
One of the most beautiful cathedrals that I have visited (I have seen quite a lot !).
Intimist, well preserved and with an historical treasure which is unique!
Intimist, well preserved and with an historical treasure which is unique!
Written 28 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
southerntraveller49
Andalucia, Spain953 contributions
June 2018 • Friends
This is one of the cultural landmarks in the city that will attract anyone who is an art lover. The first thing to bear in mind is that most of the paintings displayed belong to one author -Grão Vasco, a famous Portuguese painter from the XV-XVI centuries-, and that they are of religious inspiration, so it might not be to everyone´s taste, as the esthetics and themes depicted are according to its nature. But you needn´t focus on that only, the quality of the paintings are great,as well as its conservation degree and they make up quite a complete colection. I´m not a specialist, but I got the impression they are something that can be placed somewhere in the middle between Medieval and Renaissance styles. Of course, there are other newer authors and things on display beside these paintings (pottery, sculpture...), but they are the main point. The museum is medium-sized, so seeing it around won´t tire you much, it might take you just over one hour and a half or so. Its surroundings are interesting and worth a visit, as the museum is located in the monumental part of the city, beside the Cathedral.
Written 27 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
958fredericom
Lisbon, Portugal39 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
One of Portuguese greatest painters, do not miss this when in Viseu; here you can have a glimpse of some fascinating works and also "travel" to an era with paintings depicting old situations and places.
Written 23 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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