The Brazil of Portinari Opens at National Museum of China

On June 9, the opening ceremony for the exhibition The Brazil of Portinari was held at the National Museum of China (NMC).

The event drew a distinguished group of officials and cultural leaders from both nations. Attending the ceremony from the Brazilian delegation were Márcio Tavares, Vice Minister of Culture; Marcos Galvão, Ambassador of Brazil to China; Fernanda Castro, President of the Brazilian Institute of Museums (Ibram); and João Candido Portinari, President of the Candido Portinari Cultural Association.

Chinese dignitaries and representatives from the cultural, scientific, and academic sectors were also heavily in attendance. These included Luo Wenli, Director of the National Museum of China; Yuan Yaxiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chen Xiaoling, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Ma Xiaochen, Secretary and First-Level Inspector of the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

"Portinari's paintings utilize red earth as their base color and the working class as their backbone, capturing the breath of the Brazilian land and the destiny of its people at the tip of his brush," stated Luo. "He created not only artistic masterpieces but also conveyed a message of peace and a deep concern for people's livelihoods. We sincerely hope to take this exhibition as an opportunity to further deepen exchange and cooperation between China and Brazil in the fields of museums, art, and broader cultural spheres, allowing the fruits of this cultural dialogue to continuously nourish the foundation of friendship between our two nations."

Márcio Tavares conveyed greetings from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Minister of Culture Margareth Menezes. He noted that this year marks the "China-Brazil Year of Culture," emphasizing that culture is the cornerstone of the strategic partnership between the two nations. "Portinari's art is rooted in the red soil of Brazil, echoing the spirit of traditional Chinese art, which promotes harmony between humanity and nature and celebrates the beauty of labor," Tavares remarked. "This shared cultural core serves as a bond of mutual understanding and integration between China and Brazil."

João Candido Portinari stated that his father interpreted the soul of the Brazilian people through color and form. Quoting an ancient Chinese proverb, "A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near," he expressed his hope that this exhibition will serve as a bridge connecting the emotions, memories, and profound mutual understanding of both peoples.

The exhibition is structured into four thematic sections, and showcases 56 original works by the Brazilian modern art master Candido Portinari, complemented by an immersive digital experience. Located in Gallery S4 of the NMC, the exhibition opens to the public on June 10 and will run until October 11.

Behind the Scenes: A One-Minute Look at the Birth of the Exhibition