The Royal Academy has been presenting Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism since 28 January, offering a comprehensive look at Brazilian art from the early to mid-20th century. This major exhibition features over 130 works by ten significant Brazilian artists, showcasing the diversity and evolution of modern art in the country. Having lived in Brazil for many years, I am always curious to engage with its arts scene.
In the early 20th century, a new artistic movement was taking shape in Brazil. From the 1910s to the 1970s, Brazilian artists blended contemporary trends, international influences, and local traditions to develop a distinct form of modernism—one deeply connected to the country’s cultures, identities, and landscapes.
The exhibition brings a broader perspective on Brazilian Modernism to UK audiences, highlighting artists who have received limited exposure in this country. It includes Anita Malfatti, a key figure in the movement, and Tarsila do Amaral, now widely recognized as a leading female modernist. Also featured are self-taught artists Alfredo Volpi and Lasar Segall, alongside Candido Portinari and Djanira da Motta e Silva, an artist of Indigenous descent. Afro-Brazilian artist Rubem Valentim and performance artist Flávio de Carvalho further expand the narrative, reflecting the richness and complexity of Brazil’s modernist legacy.
About The Royal Academy of Arts
The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House in Piccadilly in London, England. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the fine arts through exhibitions, education and debate.
Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism
28 January – 21 April 2025
Royal Academy
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