Black, white and gold; festive, new and old. The gilded monotones and geometric graphics of the festive displays at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon are the result of another inspired modern art commission: introducing South African-Portuguese street artist Vanessa Teodoro, her three wise men, a revolving Christmas tree and more.
A proudly Portuguese vanguard of local modern art, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz successfully straddles the creative camps of classic and cutting-edge. “When we first opened our doors 60 years ago, we invited the likes of then-modern artist Almada Negreiros to decorate our walls,” Guilherme Costa, General Manager explains. “To this day, we continue to champion local artists and emerging aesthetics and are grateful to Vanessa for inspiring the whole team with such an exciting creative concept.”
Avoiding the usual clichés and excesses often associated with Christmas, the three towering wise men are simple and stylised while the various layers of the Christmas tree rotate in opposite directions in a nod to vintage rope toys. This seeming simplicity is counterbalanced by dense patterns, dynamic designs, graphic richness and gilded notes that reflect the Hotel’s existing art and energy.
Vanessa’s juxtaposing jewels will be on seasonal show in the Lobby, set against the equally eye-catching backdrop of the Hotel’s famous Almada Negreiros Centaury Trilogy tapestries (an artist who also loved the use of geometrics). And in homage to her professional roots – graphic design and brand advertising – Vanessa has hidden the letters R-I-T-Z within the puzzle piece pattern.
The Ritz’s pastry chefs have embraced the elegant and edgy black, white and gold theme in a festive afternoon tea at Almada Negreiros Lounge, featuring a rich Itakuja dark chocolate roll cake; golden orange macarons; chestnut and cassis Mont Blanc sablés; white chocolate and lime tartelettes; and of course, Chef Fabian Nguyen’s home-made scones. While over at Ritz Bar, bartender Diogo Ingham’s "OMG its Christmas Again" Cocktail awaits.
For more art of the edible variety, choose from a Christmas Eve Dinner, Christmas Day Lunch, New Year’s Eve Feast and New Year’s Day, featuring striking combinations of blue lobster, Japanese wagyu, foie gras millefeuille, pumpkin, Tonka beans and cacao grué; glazed scarlet prawn with kumquat, Soalheiro wine and huacatay emulsion; and of course a selection of festive sweet treats.
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Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca, Lisbon, Portugal
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