São Francisco de Assis 1941

Candido Portinari painted "São Francisco de Assis," depicting Saint Francis of Assisi, sometime between 1903 and 1962. In this work, Portinari reimagines a religious icon through the lens of Brazilian modernism. The rough texture and earthy palette reflect the social realism movement, which sought to depict the lives of ordinary people and challenge the elitist norms of academic art. Portinari was deeply committed to representing Brazil's social realities, including the plight of its rural poor. The choice of Saint Francis, known for his humility and love for nature, subtly critiques the social structures of Portinari's time. One should note the visual codes such as the saint’s simple robe and the bird as symbols of his connection to the natural world, reinforcing this message. By studying the socio-political context of mid-20th-century Brazil, we can appreciate how Portinari used art to advocate for social change and question the institutional norms of his era.