The history of Casa São Roque (formerly Casa Ramos Pinto) dates back to 1759, when it served as a manor and hunting house, typical of those owned by bourgeoisie and noble families from Porto. In the nineteenth century it belonged to the family Ramos Pinto, one of the well-known producers and exporters of port wine. Soon after, between 1900–1911, he commissione the house by the architect José Marques da Silva, and at the same time, the garden was designed by Jacinto de Matos.
Today the building remains in its original eclectic style, as remodelled by Marques da Silva, inspired by French historicisms of the nineteenth century and Belgian art nouveau, and it was recently rehabilitated under the supervision of architect João Mendes Ribeiro.
It is a remarkable example of the Porto style houses and decorations, including stuccos, wooden finish, and its most unique specimen: a glass winter garden
The house is surrounded by the Parque do São Roque Garden, with more than 4 hectares, which had the intervention of the historic gardener of Porto Jacinto de Matos. Its centuries-old camellias, lookout, cave and arbor remain as important signs of the gardens of the time.
Through a discreet display of works from the Peter Meeker (Pedro Álvares Ribeiro) collection and site-specific interventions, Jotta pays a visit to the old house left abandoned for many years and now restored by its new tenants and transformed into a new contemporary art centre. Jotta refers directly to this moment of transformation. The living area has changed its function and is gradually becoming an art space, remaining ‘anti-white cube’ and defined by its use as a dwelling, by the traces of its former owners, whom we have never met.
Location: Porto
