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The Allure of Azulejos: Portuguese Hand-Painted Tiles with Tiago Neiva

The Allure of Azulejos: Portuguese Hand-Painted Tiles with Tiago Neiva


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Azulejos – from the Arabic word "azzelij", meaning “small polished stone” – are generally square-shaped, with one side glazed. These beautiful tiles were first introduced and widely used in Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain) during the Islamic al-Andalus from the 8th to 15th centuries. In Portugal, tiles from the Arab presence (8th-13th century) did not survive, unlike the Seville-based tile industry, which maintained this heritage and tradition.

When the rich and powerful Portuguese King Manuel I visit Spain, in the late 15th century, he became delighted by Seville-Moorish tiles, decided to bring this art to Portugal, and used them to decorate his Sintra Royal (today National) Palace. From that moment onward, tile production will be prolifically used in interiors and external facades of numerous buildings of a palatial, religious, residential, and even later, industrial nature.

The Discoveries Age period (16th-17th century) and the trade with Eastern Asia, particularly with China, will introduce in Europe the Blue and White porcelain style, soon copied and improved by Dutch and Portuguese artists. The Renaissance and Baroque period (17th-18th century) will give rise to a remarkable movement, with the “Cycle of the Masters”, combining the functional, low cost, and easy maintenance tile characteristics with rich, diverse, and exuberant scenic programs, that will establish Portugal as one of the nations with the highest number and quality of architectural projects using tiles as a primordial element. The earthquake of Lisbon (1755) and the subsequent city reconstruction, the European modern influences, the beginning of industrialization, or even the 20th-century Fascist ideology, will maintain tiles at the forefront of artistic production. Today, Portuguese contemporary architecture continues to use tiles as part of a permanent and uninterrupted cultural, aesthetic, and functional tradition for more than 500 years.

Led by an expert on Architecture and Art History, Tiago Miranda Neiva, this interactive seminar will present some of the best Portuguese examples of tile architectonic projects from the 16th to the 21st century, reflecting distinct origins, techniques, typologies, and historical periods. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with a better knowledge of the richness, quality, and variety of Portuguese Tiles and Architecture.

For travelers eager to learn more about Portuguese history and culture, we invite you to explore our additional conversations here.

Tiago Miranda Neiva was born and raised in Lisbon. He studied architecture in Rome and worked later in distinct offices in Portugal and Spain. For several years he was Professor of Arts and Art History, having a Master's degree in Teaching of Visual Arts. He is currently working towards a PhD focused on the Art and Architecture of al-Andalus: the confluence between the Arab, Jewish and Christian medieval world. In recent years he has been working as a tour guide in his hometown, seeking to show and reveal its most intimate secrets through an authentic and passionate local vision.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 14 reviews
93%
(13)
0%
(0)
7%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
C Alpaugh (Vancouver, CA)
This made me a tile enthusiast

I watched the recording because if the time difference where I am. It was fascinating and entertaining. The way art, history, politics were so clearly connected was perfect for gaining an understanding and appreciation for what I was seeing. Thank you.

S
Stephen Aronson (Toronto, CA)
Well researched and presented

Enjoyed the lecture both the order, research, photo examples and presentation.

C
Claire Miller (Dolan) (Palo Alto, US)
Deeper knowledge helps us appreciate what we may have seen in a past trip.

Tiago brings history and design to life. I enjoy his deep knowledge of the art of tiles, and the real examples he provides. He fills in the missing details I may have missed when I traveled there many years ago. I'm now inspired to return and see things in more detail.

B
Beth Essington (Pittsboro, US)
Good lecture

Well organized lecture that traces the styles and uses of the unique uses of Portuguese tile from medieval to present day Portugal.

F
Freddie (Augusta, US)
Good shirt history of Portugal thrh tiles

Enjoyed the presentation having visited Lisbon several times. I also love the Iznik tiles in ggr wast

Customer Reviews

Based on 14 reviews
93%
(13)
0%
(0)
7%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
C Alpaugh (Vancouver, CA)
This made me a tile enthusiast

I watched the recording because if the time difference where I am. It was fascinating and entertaining. The way art, history, politics were so clearly connected was perfect for gaining an understanding and appreciation for what I was seeing. Thank you.

S
Stephen Aronson (Toronto, CA)
Well researched and presented

Enjoyed the lecture both the order, research, photo examples and presentation.

C
Claire Miller (Dolan) (Palo Alto, US)
Deeper knowledge helps us appreciate what we may have seen in a past trip.

Tiago brings history and design to life. I enjoy his deep knowledge of the art of tiles, and the real examples he provides. He fills in the missing details I may have missed when I traveled there many years ago. I'm now inspired to return and see things in more detail.

B
Beth Essington (Pittsboro, US)
Good lecture

Well organized lecture that traces the styles and uses of the unique uses of Portuguese tile from medieval to present day Portugal.

F
Freddie (Augusta, US)
Good shirt history of Portugal thrh tiles

Enjoyed the presentation having visited Lisbon several times. I also love the Iznik tiles in ggr wast