João Miguel dos Santos Simões | A Founding Figure

João Miguel dos Santos Simões (1907-1972) was the leading 20th century expert in Portuguese tiles. Thanks to his work, which has been a fundamental reference for researchers at home and abroad, the study of tile decorations became independent from that of ceramics and the azulejo emerged as a distinctive feature of Portuguese culture. 

His writings inspired new lines of research, as well as new generations of art historians and heritage-related professionals, and Az’s researchers are also part of this constantly renewed lineage. 

[biographical note | chronology | written works | bibliography | estate]

A Chronological History of Az – Azulejo Research Network

2006

Creation of the João Miguel dos Santos Simões Thematic Network for the Study of Azulejos and Ceramics (RTEACJMSS), at the National Azulejo Museum. 
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2009

Transfer to ARTIS – Institute of Art History, School of Arts and Humanities, University of Lisbon (ARTIS-IHA/FLUL). 
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2015

Following the evaluation of the I&D Research Centres by the FCT (the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia is the Portuguese national funding agency for science, research and technology), the network becomes a research group within ARTIS-IHA/FLUL, entitled Az – Azulejo Research Network.