Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism

This exhibition showcased over 130 works from the 1910s to the 1970s by significant Brazilian artists, highlighting the evolution of Brazilian modernism.

Spanning 304 pages, the publication explores the emergence of Brazilian modernism in the early to mid-20th century, highlighting how artists responded to international influences while forging a uniquely Brazilian visual language rooted in local culture, identity, and landscape.

It features the work of Tarsila do Amaral, Anita Malfatti, Alfredo Volpi, Djanira, Rubem Valentim, Flávio de Carvalho, and others — many of whom remain lesser known outside Brazil. Their work reflects the energy and complexity of a country in artistic transformation, and the connections between modern art, literature, design, and music in shaping Brazil’s modern identity.

Essays by leading scholars provide fresh insights into this underrepresented movement, making this catalog an essential reference for those interested in global modernism, Latin American art, and the diverse voices that shaped Brazil’s cultural history