PUBLIC PROGRAMME

A New Masterpiece on View: Jacques des Rousseaux at the National Museum of Ancient Art
28.01.2025 — 3.06.2025

Now on view at MNAA: Lute Player Accompanying an Old Man Holding a Musical Score by Jacques des Rousseaux, a rare and intriguing work from our collection. The life of des Rousseaux remains shrouded in mystery. His family, originally from Tourcoing in northern France, sought refuge in Leiden, The Netherlands, driven by a quest for religious freedom. Born around 1600, des Rousseaux likely stayed connected to his roots, returning to France after a study trip to Italy—a rite of passage for many northern European artists seeking inspiration from the land of Caravaggio. Des Rousseaux was almost certainly a pupil of Rembrandt, who ran a workshop in Leiden from 1628 to 1631. His paintings often reflect such influence, to the point that some have been misattributed to the master himself. While many of his works are Tronies—intense studies of facial expressions influenced by Rembrandt’s circle—this particular piece diverges. It captures an intimate musical performance with two figures, blending the warmth of Rembrandt’s early style with Caravaggio’s dramatic naturalism.

Cultivating Young Artistic Minds at the Museum
18.03.2025 — 3.06.2025

Education is at the heart of our mission. The Gaudium Magnum Foundation - Maria and João Cortez de Lobão is proudly supporting the educational initiatives of the National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon. Our didactic leaflets introduce young minds to iconic European masterpieces, guide families through scavenger hunts around the museum, and explore artistic techniques alongside the historical context of the works on display.

Educational Activity for Families: Music in Painting
Travel back in time and discover the connection between art and music in the 17th century. Inspired by Jacques de Rousseaux’s painting Lute Player Accompanying an Old Man Holding a Musical Score, this activity invites families to explore the artwork’s details and to imagine the sounds that once filled grand ballrooms of the royal courts.

The new educational leaflet includes various challenges, such as observing clothing, identifying the instruments, and learning how music influenced daily life at the time. Can you count the lute strings? Or figure out where the light in the scene is coming from? Children are invited to complete carpet patterns and imagine missing details in the painting.

Participants embark on an educational and sensory journey through visual clues, connecting art, history, and music. This leaflet is part of a series of educational materials developed in partnership with MNAA and is available for free at the museum. Join us and let yourself be transported by the melodies of the lute!

Fulbright Scholarships for Professors and PhD Researchers – Next Edition

Applications for the Fulbright Scholarship for Professors and PhD Researchers are now closed. We warmly thank all applicants for their enthusiasm and engagement in this initiative, which supports research and teaching at universities, museums, and research centers in the United States.

The Gaudium Magnum Foundation, in partnership with the Fulbright Commission, will continue to offer this opportunity to support projects in Art History, Museology, and Curatorial Practice, with a particular focus on the art of Portuguese-speaking countries in the Early Modern period. Next edition: Applications for the 2026 cycle will open in fall 2025 and remain available until the end of January 2026. This scholarship, lasting between 3 and 9 months, enables selected candidates to broaden their academic horizons, deepen their research, and contribute to the international visibility and preservation Portuguese art. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering academic and scientific exchange between Portugal and the United States. Stay tuned for updates!

Are you curious to know how it all started?

Discover the initiatives and projects that have shaped our journey so far and understand our vision through this video testimony recorded by co-founder Maria Cortez de Lobão.

Do you feel inspired and wish to know more?

Explore our YouTube Video Library — a rich repository of exclusive interviews, conferences, and accessible content that breaks down physical barriers.

THE FOUNDATION

The Gaudium Magnum Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Lisbon, Portugal. Founded in 2018 by Maria and João Cortez de Lobão, the foundation is dedicated to supporting culture, education, and research while actively engaging in various charitable endeavors. It recognizes the significance of cross-cultural exchanges as a means of building bridges, stimulating dialogue, and fostering social justice, and it is committed to upholding Portugal’s rich tradition of cultural internationalism.

As an ambassador for Portugal’s historical and cultural heritage, the foundation promotes dialogue between local and international institutions and supports projects that explore the country's role on the global stage. It particularly focuses on the formation of Portugal’s cultural identity between the 14th and 18th centuries, examining its diplomatic ties and the circulation of models, ideas, and people.

Encouraging inter-institutional partnerships, the foundation collaborates with museums, libraries, and research centers both in Portugal and abroad, including the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (Lisbon, Portugal), the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Rome, Italy), the Hispanic Society Museum & Library (New York, USA), and the Instituto Camões (Portugal).

THE COLLECTION

The Collection, put together by Maria and João Cortez de Lobão over the past two decades, currently includes more than 100 works of art by some of the finest European artists from the 14th to the 18th centuries. The Cortez de Lobão believe these works are essential not only for academic study but also as sources of inspiration, and they are dedicated to making them accessible to a wide audience. Their extensive efforts to expand the Collection encourage research, and showcase in various contexts reflect this commitment.

To further this mission, an Online Collaborative Catalogue is being developed. This open cross-disciplinary resource will be continuously updated and will serve as a valuable tool for students and scholars specialized in European painting, while also allowing enthusiasts to engage in interactive exploration. By loaning artworks from the Collection, we aim to contribute to various national and international temporary exhibitions. This collaboration with diverse artistic and museum institutions enhances access to the works and broadens our reach to wider audiences.