[Colonial collections in Portugal and their invisibilities: João Jardim and the Municipal Museum of Figueira da Foz].

Abstract

Learning about the actors associated with the development of collections helps trace the signs of coloniality in museum discourse. The case of João dos Santos Pereira Jardim, the main donor of a collection in the ethnography section of the Municipal Museum of Figueira da Foz, confirms that military campaigns in colonial territories were key to enriching the collections of Portuguese museums. By reconstructing the journey of this military officer and the significance of two objects he collected, we reveal how this type of actor contributed to the growth of collections and prevailing Eurocentric narratives in museums.