Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism ★★★★ Royal Academy of Arts | Jan 28 - Apr 21, 2025


This thoughtful exhibition features the work of ten artists who represent the amazing artistic output of the Modernist movement in Brazil. Represented by over 130 works, many from private collections, this is a rare opportunity to appreciate some notable pieces which reflect both the complex nature of Brazilian society and its modern art movement from the 1910s to the 1970s. The show expresses the determination of a new generation to move away from a traditional academic perspective and to create a new vision which exposes the vibrancy and diversity of local cultures. It is simultaneously an assertion of the country's identity and of its artistic independence while also engaging with the country's colonial past and the artistic influences of Europe. It celebrates Brazil and its peoples, while fearlessly confronting the social issues that the society faces. While works like "Favela Hill" (1924) by Tarsila do Amaral may create an almost idyllic image of local life, this contrasts with her own painting "Second Class" (1933) which unsparingly exposes the inequities that underlie Brazilian society. That dark reality is even more vividly presented in Candido Portinari's overwhelming "Migrants" (1944). It is an absolutely haunting creation. Equally thought-provoking, but in a different way, are works like Vicente do Rego Monteiro's "Archer" (1925). In its recontextualised reference to Jean-Baptiste Debret's earlier piece, "Cabocle" (1834-39), this intriguing work addresses the complexity and ambiguity of the artistic and political heritage of Europe. That story is carried through in the rest of this exhibition. It is a fascinating compilation of work by some truly cosmopolitan artists who, at the same time as they are seeking to express their personal visions, explore the unique identity of an extraordinary, multifaceted country.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Image: Tarsila do Amaral, Landscape with Bridge, 1931. Private collection. Courtesy of Almeida & Dale Galeria de Arte – Photo: Sergio Guerini. © Tarsila do Amaral S/A

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD, UK

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