Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism at Burlington House
28 January – 21 April 2025 – Main Galleries, Burlington House
This major exhibition, “Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism,” showcases an extensive collection of over 130 works by ten significant Brazilian artists from the twentieth century. The exhibition captures the diversity and vibrancy of Brazilian art during a period of profound cultural transformation.
In the early 20th century, Brazilian artists began to forge a distinctive modernist identity, drawing from contemporary trends, international influences, and rich local traditions. From the 1910s through the 1970s, these artists embraced the vibrant cultures, identities, and landscapes of Brazil to create a new, uniquely Brazilian modernism. Indigenous identity and the Afro-Brazilian experience were pivotal influences, as artists looked inward to redefine modernism not just in Brazil but across South America.
“Brasil! Brasil!” provides UK audiences with a broader view of Brazilian Modernism, featuring artists who have historically received less exposure outside of Brazil. Key figures include Anita Malfatti, who pioneered this modernist wave, and Tarsila do Amaral, celebrated internationally as a leading female figure in the movement. Other highlighted artists are Alfredo Volpi, a self-taught painter; Djanira da Motta e Silva, an artist of Indigenous descent; Afro-Brazilian artist Rubem Valentim; and performance artist Flávio de Carvalho.
The pieces on display are predominantly sourced from Brazilian private collections and public institutions, many of which have never been exhibited in the UK before. This exhibition is organized in collaboration with the Zentrum Paul Klee, Bern, and the Royal Academy of Arts, London, bringing a slice of Brazilian cultural heritage to an international audience.
Preview days for Friends of the Royal Academy are scheduled for 24-26 January, offering early access to this captivating showcase.
For more information and to secure tickets, visit the exhibition page: Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism at the RoyalAcademy.
