Maria de Lourdes Bettencourt de Castro (Lourdes Castro): A Pioneer of Portuguese Experimental Art Maria de Lourdes Bettencourt de Castro, known professionally as Lourdes Castro, was a prolific Portuguese artist who left an indelible mark on the landscape of 20th-century European art. Born December 9, 1930, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, her artistic journey began with formal training at Lisbon’s School of Art, where she honed her skil…