By Projeto Portinari
Candido Portinari (1903-1962), seen here in this self-portrait, is known as Brazil’s most famous modernist painter.
He painted this when he was 20 years old and it was the first painting he ever sold. It shows a typical Brazilian party with dancing and music by a local band.
Portinari’s work portrayed the vibrant lifestyle of Brazil, like this group of musicians playing the chorinho, a very popular Brazilian rhythm. The style of the painting shows the influence of cubism.
In 1956, Brazil donated his mural War and Peace to the new headquarters of the United Nations. At Portinari’s request, when delegates enter the New York building they face the War panel and when they leave they see the Peace panel.
Portinari suffered from lead poisoning caused by toxic compounds in his paints. At his doctor’s request he stopped using them and turned to the colored pencil for this series showing the literary hero Don Quixote.
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