TARSILA DO AMARAL - 50 FATOS #VIVIEUVI

Summary

The video explores the life and career of Tarsila do Amaral, a renowned Brazilian modernist artist. Born in 1886, Tarsila's early life was shaped by her wealthy family. She studied art in Barcelona and Paris, becoming a key figure in the Brazilian modernist movement. Her works, including the iconic 'Abaporu,' were instrumental in shaping the 'Antropofagia' (Cannibalism) movement, which fused European and Brazilian influences. The video details her artistic journey, relationships, and struggles, including her personal hardships and political engagement. Tarsila's legacy endures, with her work celebrated worldwide for its distinctive expression of Brazilian culture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tarsila do Amaral was born on September 1, 1886, in Capivari, São Paulo, and had a privileged childhood on her family's coffee farms.
• 😀 She studied at Colégio Sion in São Paulo, then moved to Barcelona in 1902, where she first encountered painting at the age of 16.
• 😀 Tarsila married André Teixeira Pinto, had a daughter named Dulce, and later divorced due to differing views on her career and family life.
• 😀 In 1920, Tarsila moved to Paris to study at the Académie Julian and corresponded with Anita Malfatti about the São Paulo cultural scene.
• 😀 One of her paintings, 'Figura', was accepted into the Salon of French Artists, which she later referred to as her 'passport' into the art world.
• 😀 Tarsila became involved in the Brazilian modernist movement and had a close relationship with key figures like Oswald de Andrade, Mário de Andrade, and Anita Malfatti.
• 😀 She was influenced by cubism and her work evolved, becoming more expressive, with stronger brushstrokes and vibrant colors.
• 😀 In 1926, Tarsila created her iconic painting 'Abaporu', which inspired the Brazilian anthropophagism movement championed by Oswald de Andrade.
• 😀 Despite facing financial difficulties during the Great Depression, Tarsila continued her art and even worked as a conservator at the Pinacoteca do Estado in São Paulo.
• 😀 Tarsila faced personal hardships, including the tragic loss of her granddaughter and daughter, and later became close to spiritualism, meeting Chico Xavier.
• 😀 Tarsila passed away on January 17, 1973, in São Paulo, leaving behind over 2,000 works, and was posthumously honored with a crater on Mercury named after her.

Q & A

Who was Tarsila do Amaral?

Tarsila do Amaral was a Brazilian modernist painter, known for her role in the development of the Brazilian modernist art movement. She was born on September 1, 1886, in Capivari, São Paulo.

What was Tarsila's background and upbringing like?

Tarsila came from a wealthy family and grew up on her father's coffee farms. Her family was well-educated and she had access to imported products and a luxurious lifestyle during her childhood.

What led Tarsila to start studying art?

Tarsila began studying art during a trip to Barcelona with her parents at the age of 16, where she initially started by making copies of religious paintings, such as the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

How did Tarsila's relationship with Oswald de Andrade influence her work?

Tarsila's relationship with Oswald de Andrade deeply influenced her art, especially in terms of her style becoming more expressive and vibrant, as well as her involvement in the Brazilian modernist movement, including the anthropophagist movement.

What is the significance of Tarsila's painting 'Abaporu'?

'Abaporu' is a famous painting by Tarsila that inspired the Anthropophagist movement. The painting's title comes from the Tupi-Guarani language, meaning 'the man who eats.' It symbolizes the idea of ingesting European culture and transforming it with Brazilian elements.

How did Tarsila's life and art evolve after her time in Paris?

After her time in Paris, Tarsila's art became more focused on Brazilian subjects. She painted landscapes, people, and scenes reflecting the vivid colors and cultural richness of Brazil, such as her 'Pau Brasil' phase.

What major life events affected Tarsila's personal and professional life?

Tarsila experienced several personal tragedies, including the death of her only granddaughter in 1949, a medical error that left her paraplegic in 1965, and the loss of her daughter in the same year. These events deeply impacted her mental health.

What was Tarsila's involvement in political movements?

Tarsila was briefly involved with leftist politics after a visit to the Soviet Union in 1931. However, after being imprisoned for a month in 1932, she distanced herself from political involvement and focused on her art.

How did Tarsila contribute to the development of Brazilian modernist art?

Tarsila was a key figure in the Brazilian modernist movement, contributing iconic works such as 'Abaporu' and 'Operários.' She also participated in important exhibitions like the São Paulo Biennial, helping to shape Brazilian art during the 20th century.

What is the legacy of Tarsila do Amaral in the art world?

Tarsila do Amaral's legacy includes her pioneering contributions to modernist art, her role in the Anthropophagist movement, and her influence on Brazilian culture. In 2008, a crater on Mercury was named after her, and her works continue to be celebrated worldwide.