Mural Painting in late 18th and early 19th century in Baixa Pombalina

Abstract

Baixa pombalina and its buildings have unique characteristics that distinguish them within Lisbon’s urbanism. Being a highly sensitive part of the city, from a seismic point of view, Baixa has not been left untouched by pressures of various order, which have generated transformations, especially inside the buildings. Nevertheless, even today, in these same buildings there are traces of some decorative solutions, such as tiles, stuccos and mural paintings, the latter being a little known chapter of the history of national art. It is important to know and value this heritage as part of a comprehensive construction plan, where the aesthetic element associated with the architecture itself has not been forgotten. This article results from the collaboration in multidisciplinary works, in the context of the survey and historical- artistic characterization of the integrated heritage existing in some buildings of Baixa Pombalina, target of architectural rehabilitation projects.