Candido Portinari’s former house, in Brodowski, the Casa de Portinari Museum, institution from the Secretariat of Culture from the State of São Paulo, represents the strong connection between the artist and his birthplace, origins and family ties. This is the spot where he conducted his experiments on mural paintings and went deep inside this technique over the years.
The complex is composed of a main house and annexes built successively. The typical simplicity of the countryside is the main characteristic of the museum that was inaugurated on March 14, 1970.
Casa de Portinari Museum’s artistic collection is mainly composed of works done by the artist in mural paintings, on the house walls, using the fresco and tempera techniques. The theme is predominantly sacred, with the exception of the artist’s early experiences in this type of art. The collection also includes a set of drawings, an expressive and significant language in Candido Portinari’s production present in all moments of his career.
The museum also keeps the family’s personal-use objects, furniture and utensils and some rooms continue with their original functions, while others were adapted to be used as exhibition rooms. Inside the house, the atelier – with the artist’s work objects – and the “Capela da Nonna” (Nonna’s Chapel) – which Portinari painted to his grandmother who could not go to the church to watch the mass and pray, as she was sick – can be highlighted.
The museum is managed by ACAM Portinari (Cultural Association to Support the Casa de Portinari Museum), a Social Culture Organization, through an agreement with the State Government.
Son from a humble immigrant Italian family, one of the greatest Brazilian artists of all times, internationally recognized, Candido Portinari was born in 1903, in a coffee farm in Brodowski, where his father worked on the harvest. When he was just 15, he moved to Rio de Janeiro to go deeper into his learning in painting. He received several national and international awards, and exhibited his art in the main galleries of art of his time.
Over his career, Portinari made at least 5,000 works of art, among frescos, oil paintings and drawings. Some of the most famous ones are “Café” (Coffee), exhibited at the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes (Rio de Janeiro), “O Lavrador de Café” (The Coffee Peasant) and “Os Retirantes” (Migrants), both from the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP), and the panels “Guerra” (War) and “Paz” (Peace), donated to the UNO (United Nations Organization), in New York (USA).
Candido Portinari died in 1962, victim of intoxication from the paints he used.
Casa de Portinari Museum
Address: Praça Candido Portinari, 298 – Centro – Brodowski/SP – CEP: 14340-000
Working hours: from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9.00 to 18.00
Entrance fee: free
Information: +55 (16) 3664-4284
museu@casadeportinari.com.br
www.museucasadeportinari.org.br
Take a virtual tour and get to know the Casa de Portinari Museum.
