Vitalino Pereira dos Santos (Second half of the 20th century) by Dudu SchnaiderMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
Vitalino Pereira dos Santos, known as Mestre Vitalino (1909-1963) was a Brazilian folk artist, considered one of the greatest artisans in the history of clay art in Brazil.
He was born in Caruaru, Pernambuco and since he was a child, he already showed his talent for art by molding small animals with the leftovers of clay from his mother's work. From “Alto do Moura”, where the artist lived, he produced the pieces to sell at the Caruaru fair.
Vitalino Pereira dos Santos (1950) by Dudu SchnaiderMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
In 1947, he was invited by the artist Augusto Rodrigues to present his pieces at the Exhibition of Folk Ceramics of Pernambuco, in Rio de Janeiro. In 1949, Mestre Vitalino's fame was expanded with an exhibition at MASP, in São Paulo.
In 1955, he took part in an exhibition of “Primitive and Modern Art”, in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Currently, his art is exhibited not only in major Brazilian museums, but also in the Austrian Museum of Folk Art and in the Louvre Museum, in Paris.
Nurse administering an injection (Second half of the 20th century) by Vitalino Pereira dos SantosMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
Nurse giving an injection.
Taking care of health, taking care of yourself.
Operation four physicians and a patient Operation four physicians and a patientMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
Medical team making a surgical intervention.
Again, health as the theme.
Operation four physicians and a patient Operation four physicians and a patientMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
A high complexity surgery requires knowledge and concentration.
Land surveyor Land surveyor (Second half of the 20th century) by Vitalino Pereira dos SantosMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
A surveyor makes measurements. One auxiliary holds the prism, another protects the professional and the theodolite from the sun.
Dentist DentistMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
The clothing, the instruments, and the ambiance of a dentist. A well-dressed patient. Going to the dentist was a special occasion.
Barber Barber (Second half of the 20th century) by Vitalino Pereira dos SantosMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
The barber and his instruments: razor, scissors, lotion flasks. Shaving, getting ready for an important moment/occasion.
Man sitting down (Second half of the 20th century) by Vitalino Pereira Dos SantosMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
What goes through someone’s mind in a moment of hardship? A fair trader worried by the low interest for his product?
Bar table Bar tableMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
Friends meeting to talk and drink.
Bar table Bar tableMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
Recharging the body and the mind.
Self-portrait of Master Vitalino Self-portrait of Master VitalinoMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
The most evident erysipelas symptom is the itch on the body areas affected by the disease. Very common in his social circle, this sculpture’s author suffered from this disease. And he used himself as a model.
Self-portrait of Master Vitalino Self-portrait of Master VitalinoMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
Cangaceiro with a horse Cangaceiro with a horseMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
His work is around the world. Brazil owes him a great part of the shape, color, and soul of its culture and identity.
Woman splitting chestnuts with a boy pounding coffee and roasting chestnuts (Second half of the 20th century) by Vitalino Pereira dos SantosMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
People drinking cachaça by the cashew tree People drinking cachaça by the cashew tree (Second half of the 20th century) by Vitalino Pereira dos SantosMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
The return from the farm The return from the farm (Second half of the 20th century) by Vitalino Pereira Dos SantosMuseu do Homem do Nordeste
Museus de Caruaru
Massangana Audiovisual, 1991
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Casa Museu Mestre Vitalino
The house where the artist spent his life was transformed into a museum and its surroundings are now occupied by artisan workshops.
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Museu do Homem do Nordeste
Fundação Joaquim Nabuco
Diretoria de Memória, Educação, Cultura e Arte
Museu do Homem do Nordeste
Text and script
Antonio Carlos Montenegro (Coordenação de Exposições e Difusão Cultural)
Production
Pedro Coelho e Hélio Moura Filho (Massangana Audiovisual)
Sculptures
Mestre Vitalino / Acervo Museu do Homem do Nordeste
Photos
Dudu Schnaider / Acervo do Centro de Documentação e de Estudos da História Brasileira
Film
Massangana Audiovisual
