Vera Cortês Gallery Closes After 23 Years in Lisbon

After 23 years, the Lisbon-based Vera Cortês Gallery has announced its closure, effective December 19. Founder Vera Cortês cited a sense of completion and a desire for new challenges, stating that the gallery's path had run its course. The gallery represented notable artists including Alexandre Farto (Vhils), Ana Vieira, André Romão, Carlos Bunga, Céline Condorelli, Ignasi Aballí, and José Pedro Croft. Cortês reflected on the growing commercial pressures and competition in the art market, which increasingly dictate what is shown and when. She emphasized that while she remains supportive of colleagues, she sees different paths ahead. The gallery was a regular participant in major art fairs such as ARCO Madrid, ARCO Lisbon, Artissima, The Armory Show, Pulse Miami, Art Brussels, Art Rio, SP-Arte, Frieze London, and Loop Barcelona. Cortês also recalled her advocacy for VAT reduction alongside other Portuguese galleries. The closure marks the end of a distinctive model that began in 2003 as Vera Cortês, Agência de Arte.