Hello, Utrust family 💜
NFTs are rapidly becoming a staple of the Web3 world, and we are thrilled to watch how their potential is unravelling before our eyes.
We’ve already written about how the art world is leading this revolution and even about how the music world, as well as all performance arts, are right there behind them. But every single day, we are surprised by something new, something extraordinary and creative.
In this case, we are privileged to say we get to be a part of an incredible project that is using this technology to preserve priceless heirlooms and do good.
Utrust is ever so proud to provide our services to accept and process crypto payments for this wonderful initiative.
Artentik is a Santa Casa da Misericórdia initiative
If you don’t know who the Santa Casa are, let us just give you the highlights of one of Portugal’s most storied and important institutions. They were founded in 1498 by Queen Leonor, with the mission of protecting the poor, downtrodden and sick of the city of Lisbon.
Throughout their over 500 years of history, they have always been (and still remain) one of the most important and influential charities and social projects in the country. While the Lisbon institution remains the largest and most significant chapter, there are over 2000 Misericórdias all over the country as of the writing of this article.
You can read about all of the incredible achievements of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia here (Portuguese also available).
One of the largest art collections in the world
Throughout its time, the Santa Casa has amassed a tremendous art collection and archive. The Church and Museum of São Roque, in Lisbon, is where some of the most prestigious pieces are displayed for all to see, but the actual collection is immense. It is considered one of the most important religious collections in the world, and its pieces include objects of immense value not only due to their artistry, but also their history.
Anything from the paintings of André Reinoso, one of the greatest painters of his age, can be found right next to reliquaries of saints and religious artifacts of all sorts.
This includes incredibly precious objects, such as a thorn from Jesus Christ’s crown of thorns, said to have been worn during the crucifixion. This object has been with the Church since the 16th Century.
NFTs are helping preserve the collection
Artentik is an initiative that seeks to divulge this collection, and provide digital versions of some of these priceless objects to anyone around the world. Every single NFT is created by the Santa Casa themselves and proof of ownership and authenticity is ensured by the blockchain.
So yes, you can now own a digital reproduction of some of the most valuable and important works of art in Christendom.
Not only that, you will be helping an excellent cause: the preservation and maintenance of the physical works themselves. Proceeds from the NFTs sold by Arthentik will be used by the Santa Casa to ensure that the original works of art will be perfectly preserved for eternity.
And that’s not all
Artentik and the Santa Casa are also promoting other collections, and other initiatives, that will follow the exact same guidelines. Digital versions of works of art will be made available through the platform to benefit good and worthy causes.
The first collection will benefit mental health charities and can be seen here.
We are partnering with Arthentik to provide and process all crypto payments used to purchase these NFTs. As a charity in Portugal, compliance is of the utmost importance, and we are thrilled to have been entrusted with this service by the Santa Casa da Misericórdia.
