Calouste S. Gulbenkian and English Taste

Although Calouste Gulbenkian was born in the Ottoman Empire (Üsküdar, Turkey), and his ancestry was Armenian for many centuries, he established lifetime connections with the United Kingdom. He acquired British nationality (1902), developed business and trade links, and established many connections with art dealers and experts in Britain. Many of the latter would be key figures in advising him on his art acquisitions.

This exhibition allows for a different perspective on collecting, and includes works that are usually kept on storage – paintings, sculptures, prints, and books, mainly from his documentation library – which will aim to reveal more of his personality and interests.

Event website