Discover the vibrant legacy of Brazilian Modernism, a movement born out of nationalistic pride and a desire to break free from traditional artistic boundaries.
Brazilian Modernism: A Vibrant Legacy
Brazilian Modernism was born out of nationalistic pride and a desire to break free from traditional artistic boundaries. The movement, which emerged in the early twentieth century, was characterized by a freer and more contemporary sense of self-identity, as artists began to explore new ways of expressing themselves.
Brazilian Modernism emerged in the 1920s, influenced by European avant-garde movements.
The movement sought to break away from traditional Portuguese colonial styles and create a unique national identity.
Key figures like Tarsila do Amaral and Anita Malfatti pioneered this new aesthetic.
They experimented with vibrant colors, abstract forms, and figurative representations of Brazilian culture.
This innovative style was showcased in the 1922 Modern Art Week, which sparked a wave of creative expression across the country.
The Early Years: European Influence
Modernism in painting had been bubbling in Europe since the 1860s, with art moving away from formal, story-telling tropes towards work that explored how paint could be more expressive and expansive. By the 1910s, Paris and Berlin were hotbeds of Modernism as Picasso, Braque, Kirchner, and others smashed through painterly boundaries.
Modernism emerged as a cultural and artistic movement in the late 19th century, primarily in Europe and North America.
Characterized by a rejection of traditional forms and conventions, modernist artists sought to break free from the constraints of realism and explore new modes of expression.
This led to the development of innovative techniques, such as cubism, futurism, and surrealism.
Modernist writers, like James Joyce and Virginia Woolf, also experimented with narrative structures and language.
The movement's emphasis on experimentation and innovation paved the way for a wide range of artistic and literary movements in the 20th century.
The Brazilian Connection
Brazilian artist ‘Anita Malfatti’‘s visit to Europe in 1912 was a turning point for her career. She immersed herself in the new art ideas and, when she returned to Brazil, blended them into her paintings. Malfatti became a member of Grupo dos Cinco, a collective of artists and writers working towards shaking off old-school ideas that included fellow painter ‘Tarsila do Amaral‘.
A Diverse Range of Artists
The Royal Academy’s exhibition features ten artists who were part of the Brazilian Modernist movement. These include Tarsila do Amaral, whose artworks show a flowering of color and style as time passed, and ‘Anita Malfatti’, whose Oswald portrait shows how the Brazilian Modernists were embracing fresh takes on paint manipulation.
Flávio de Carvalho was a wild card, starting out as an architect and engineer before exploring performance art. Lasar Segall, born in Lithuania, brought his experience of European Expressionism to Brazil, acknowledging the presence of African culture in his paintings. ‘Vicente do Rego Monteiro’ exhibited alongside Segall and Malfatti, and his roundly painted human figures recall the curving forms of British Modernists Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth.
A Long and Varied Timeline
Brazil’s Modernist timeline is a long one, spanning from the early twentieth century to the start of the 1970s. The movement petered out at this point, but its legacy can still be seen in the artworks on display. ‘Candido Portinari’ worked during the Second World War, using drawings and paintings to convey the plight of his country’s impoverished people.
A Vibrant Legacy
The Royal Academy’s exhibition is a steady show, but there’s a staid quality to its staging. The whole deal was a spell-binding treat in 2022, with Lighting bouncing from intense to subtle as the exhibition unfolded. There’s none of that playfulness or chaos here, which is a shame given the vibrancy and dynamism of the artwork on show.
In contrast, ‘Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism’ at the Royal Academy in London through April 21, 2025, offers a glimpse into this vibrant legacy. Advance booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
