Candido Portinari (1903–1962)
Candido Portinari is one of Brazil’s most influential and internationally recognized artists, known for blending modernist aesthetics with powerful social themes. Born in a rural coffee plantation, he developed a deep artistic connection to the everyday life of Brazilian workers, immigrants, and marginalized communities.
His large-scale murals and paintings, such as War and Peace and Retirantes, combine expressive figures, dramatic compositions, and emotional intensity. Portinari’s work often confronts poverty, inequality, and the human cost of conflict, while still celebrating Brazil’s cultural richness, traditions, and resilience.
Widely exhibited around the world, Portinari remains a central figure in Latin American art, admired for his ability to merge artistic innovation with a profound humanitarian message.
