The exhibition presents the process of creating the work Ship of Emigrants with reproductions of drawings, engravings, photographs and the work that is one of the greatest treasures of the collection of the Museum.
Emigrant Ship
This painting of Segall, a great allegory of emigration, is the center of this exhibition. The display also includes the annotated drawings, engravings, sculptures, photographs, and documents related to this theme and to the artist's creative process.
Navio de emigrantes (1939/1941) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
The fate of Segall, who traveled across enormous geographic, cultural, and emotional distances to become a Brazilian artist, crosses paths with that of the emigrants honored in this canvas, a passionate testimony of 20th century history.
Lucy and the Ship
In 1935, Mário de Andrade introduced the young painter, Lucy Citti Ferreira, to Segall. Lucy began to attend the artist's studio, working alongside him and assisting in the documentation of his work.
Lucy (1945) by Hildegard RosenthalMuseu Lasar Segall
For more than ten years, she was Segall's favorite model. He was impressed by the expressive power of her countenance, especially the deep eyes and arched eyebrows.
Lucy is present on the Ship, as she was photographed by Segall himself in innumerable poses, then transposed into the multiple characters of the painting.
The Emigrants
For the first time in my life I saw the sea and ships. I saw how men of all nationalities climbed aboard these ships and went on to distant and unknown worlds, driven by destiny and something else... I did not let go of my pencil for a moment, which I used continually to fix my traveling companions and models on paper, these emigrants in whom the whole of humanity seems to be reflected.
Lasar Segall "My Memories" (1950).
Grupo de emigrantes no tombadilho (1928) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
Desenhos de anotação "emigrantes" (c.1928) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
His diaries gave origin in the end of the 1920s to the series of engravings "Emigrantes," and during the Second World War, to the painting "Navio de emigrantes," developed between 1939 and 1942.
Segall's destiny -- which contemplates he passing through enormous geographic, cultural and affective distances -- to become a Brazilian artist intersects with all emigrants honored in the work that is a vehement testimony of 20's century history.
No convés do Oceania (1937) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
'Oceania' (c.1938) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
Emigrantes (1934) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
The Ship
A ship is a large vessel, usually with one or more decks, which is capable of carrying cargo and/or passengers. In the "Navio de Emigrantes," Segall creates curious dialogues between the human forms and details of the ship, such as the circular vents, which look like eyeless heads watching the world around them.
Três gaivotas e respiradouros (1928) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
Convés de navio com passageiros (sem data) by LaurensonMuseu Lasar Segall
Chaminé de Navio (1928) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
Desenhos de anotação "navio" (c.1938) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
The biography of Lasar Segall (1891–1957) is marked by long sea voyages and changes in direction. At the age of fifteen, he left his hometown of Vilnius in Lithuania to pursue his artistic training in Germany. From his first voyage to Brazil in December 1912, he recorded the experiences he had of living aboard ships in small sketch books.
Casal de emigrantes no convés (c. 1928) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
Marinheiros limpando chaminés (sem data) by não identificadoMuseu Lasar Segall
Desenhos de anotação "navio" (c.1938) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
Marinheiro 121 (1928) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
Sailors
Sailors frequently appear in the work of Segall in the subjects connected to the "Emigration" series. In the engraving to the side, two aspects caught Segall's attention: the harbor quays with their floating population of sailors and prostitutes, and the imposing landscape of the Botanical Garden, with rows of imperial palms.
Homem e mulheres do Mangue (1929) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
Marinheiro com cachimbo (c.1928) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
Marinheiros a bordo (1930 - 1930) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
Marinheiro e emigrantes (1930) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
Desenhos de anotação "marinheiros" (c.1938) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall
Marinheiro com acordeão (c.1928) by Lasar SegallMuseu Lasar Segall