Relation 9/10 1957

José de Almada Negreiros created this striking image, Relation 9/10, with paint on canvas. Negreiros was a Portuguese artist who moved between the avant-garde movements of the early 20th century. He became known for his engagement with futurism. As with much futurist art, this image celebrates modernity through abstraction. But we can read its cultural context more closely. Portugal in the early 20th century was attempting to establish itself as a modern nation, and institutions like galleries and art schools were crucial to that project. Through their promotion of certain aesthetic styles over others, these institutions played a role in shaping national identity. Negreiros' hard-edged geometric style reflected his association with Orpheu, an artistic movement tied to the cultural journal of the same name. The sleek aesthetic of the painting might suggest a celebration of industrial progress and a break with artistic tradition. To understand this painting, one must research Portugal's history, its cultural institutions, and the development of modern art. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional contexts.