Edgar Poe, Fernando Pessoa e o Corvo 1985

Julio Pomar created this painting, Edgar Poe, Fernando Pessoa e o Corvo, using oil paint, applied in broad strokes. The visible brushwork and layering of colors gives it a dynamic, almost frenzied energy. Rather than aiming for a polished surface, Pomar leaves the evidence of his making process very evident. It’s a raw, expressive approach that allows the qualities of the paint itself – its viscosity, texture, and ability to blend – to take center stage. This direct engagement with the material pushes against the conventions of traditional painting, where the artist's hand is often concealed. The way Pomar has worked the paint gives the image an immediacy, as if he were wrestling with the subject matter. It is a good match for the themes explored in the work, particularly Poe's poem The Raven. By emphasizing the materiality of the paint, Pomar draws attention to the physical act of creation, and the artist's presence in the work.