Lima de Freitas
Lima de Freitas was a Portuguese painter, illustrator, ceramicist and writer who studied at the Escola Superior de Belas Artes de Lisboa. He illustrated more than 100 books, including Aquilino Ribeiro’s translation of Don Quixote; these illustrations were republished in a 2005 edition by Relógio D'Água. In ceramics, he created 14 tile panels depicting Lisbon myths and legends that decorate the Rossio railway station.
He began exhibiting in 1946, with his first solo show in 1950, and he showed his work across Portugal and in England, Denmark, Poland and France. He was initially associated with Neorealism and, in 1968, he teamed with Patrick Swift to open Porches Pottery. As a writer, his works include Pintura incómoda (1965), Almada e o número (1977) and Imagens da imagem (1977). Freitas held many cultural roles, such as Director-General of the State Secretariat for Culture (1976–78), Director of the National Theatre D. Maria II, president of the Academy of Music and Fine Arts Luísa Todi, and the first Director of IADE (Institute of Visual Arts & Design).
His awards include the Medalha de Honra da Cidade (Freedom of the City) of Setúbal, Chevalier et Officier de L'Ordre du Mérite from France, and the Order of Saint James of the Sword. A school in Setúbal is named Lima de Freitas School in his honor. He was also a Master Freemason.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 12:02 (CET).