Giving continuity to a long collaboration with architect Porfírio Pardal Monteiro, José de Almada Negreiros was invited to decorate the porticos of three buildings integrating the University campus in Lisbon: the Rectorate (1961) and the Faculties of Law (1957) and of Humanities (1958). This chapter explores the State commissions for public buildings and their decoration during the Portuguese Estado Novo regime (1933-1974), focusing on the case of the aforementioned university buildings. Specific attention is given to the analysis of the themes represented. Drawing on a MA thesis, this chapter benefited from additional research encompassing previously unavailable academic archives, as well as sources from the estate of Almada Negreiros, particularly his drawings and written notes. Therefore, this chapter confirms the involvement of professors and the University of Lisbon’s rector in defining the decoration themes while acknowledging Almada’s working methods and the modifications made throughout the process, which also involved approval by official entities.

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