Jorge Barradas (1894-1971) is one of the reference artists of the first generation of modern artists, which emerged with the exhibitions of the Humoristas group in the 1910s. In addition to asserting himself as an innovative caricaturist, Barradas was the most important graphic artist of the 1920s, a chronicler of social changes and post-war fever for living. He was also the renovator of artistic ceramics, already in the 40s, becoming a prolific ceramist of great acceptance in the market and requested for numerous orders of decorative ceramics in public and private buildings throughout the country. In painting, he undertook unprecedented projects, such as the trip to the island of São Tomé in 1930, and reinterpreted avant-garde movements such as surrealism and gestural abstraction, already in the 60s, at the end of his career. His work bears witness to the renewal of artistic practices in Portugal in the first half of the 20th century. A century after the heyday of Jorge Barradas' graphic production, the Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea presents the largest exhibition held to date on this multifaceted artist, covering the entire period of six decades of his career, curated by art historian Carlos Silveira . The exhibition will be on display at MNAC's Millennium bcp gallery and will feature close to 60 works by Jorge Barradas, from institutional and private collections, with emphasis on the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Museu Nacional do Azulejo.
Organized into four sections, the exhibition will present works of different formats and techniques, from Indian ink drawings to watercolor illustrations, from gouache or oil painting to decorative ceramic pieces, or tile panels, which will allow the visitor comes into contact with the diversity and technical sophistication of this important Portuguese modernist of the 20th century. On the occasion of the exhibition, a reference monograph will be published, by the curator, in partnership with Tinta-da-china publishing house.
Guided Tours with the Curator: May 6th, May 27th and June 17th, always on Saturdays at 4pm
................................................................................................................
