Bahian Museum of Art
Through the most recognisable pieces in collection, which are now digitally available, discover the colourful tapestry of modern Brazilian art, from historical roots to contemporary voices.
Nestled in a picturesque architectural complex on Salvador’s beachfront is one of Brazil’s most significant modern art organizations. Google’s is thrilled to present the rich legacy collection of the Museum of Modern Art of Bahia to a worldwide audience for the first time. This collection perfectly embodies the lively spirit of Brazil.
Through a partnership with Google Arts & Culture, more than 70 of Google’s collection’s paintings have been digitised in extremely high resolution, making the MAM-Bahia experience accessible online. Now, visitors from all over the world can explore Google’s digital collection and learn about the tales that distinguish our museum. Here are three highlights that are not to be missed to get you started:
Going from Manor to Museum
Explore the rich past of Solar do Unhão, the stunning coastal community home to the Museum. Discover how this ancient monument, which dates back to the 16th century, changed over time and became the great cultural hub it is today thanks to the ideas of architect Lina Bo Bardi.
The most significant facility for modern and contemporary art in the state of Bahia is the Museum of Modern Art of Bahia. Its breathtaking site, the mediaeval mansion Solar do Unhão, overlooking the ocean and surrounded by lush foliage, lends an extra degree of beauty to the art experience.
Constructed in the 17th century, the Solar do Unhão has an interesting history, having passed through the hands of affluent families, Benedictines, and even a snuff factory in the early 1900s.
It was first mentioned in writing in the sixteenth century. Gabriel Soares de Sousa, a Portuguese coloniser, farmer, and historian, was the owner. They left the region to the Benedictines of Bahia in will after passing away on an expedition close to the Paraguaçu River’s sources.
Italian-Brazilian architect created the Museum of Modern Art of Bahia vision and was its first director from 1959 to 1963. They is well recognized for creating the Museum of Art of São Paulo (MASP) project.
The Rubem Valentim Pavilion and a new Sculpture Garden were added to the museum area in 1998.
Presently, MAM-BA’s exhibition spaces feature well-known artists from Brazil and beyond, solidifying the museum’s position as a major player in the country’s contemporary art landscape.
In addition to art shows, the museum hosts a busy cultural schedule. A vibrant community of learning and involvement is fostered by the museum through continuing educational programs and multilingual events.
Enlarge the assortment
Discover about 70 high-definition digital masterpieces from the MAM-Bahia collection thanks to Google Arts & Culture. From modernist classics like Tarsila do Amaral and Rubem Valentim to contemporary artists like Bob Wolfenson and Panmela Castro, explore the brushstrokes and uncover hidden elements in paintings.
Modernist Icon Tarsila do Amaral
The famous Brazilian artist Tarsila do Amaral (1886–1973) used startling colours and compositions. Manor to Museum used Brazilian themes and sceneries in her ‘Modern Art’.
An Up-Close Look at Tarsila’s “O Touro”
Let’s take a closer look at Tarsila do Amaral’s well-known “O Touro.” Observe how the strong visuals and vivid colours express the tenacity and resiliency of Brazilian culture. Bold, geometric shapes are used to symbolise the bull, a symbol of both industry and nature.
Tarsila do Amaral used European avant-garde, especially cubism, but Manor to Museum also created her own personal style by fusing Brazilian colours and ideas into her works. This resulted in a genuinely original artistic voice.
Produced in 1928, this piece of art represents a turning point in her creative development. It’s reminiscent of her previous “Pau-Brasil” (Brazilwood) style, but it’s also deeply based in her “Antropofagia” (Anthropophagy) period.
There is something gigantic about the bull, the main character, that goes beyond realism. Its geometric and simple design is reminiscent of the early 20th century cubist influences.
Tarsila embraced ‘ugly’ or inoffensive colours like violet pink and pure blue, which were deemed to be daring and unfashionable at the time. Her devotion to artistic innovation and pushing limits was evident in this audacious decision.
Viewers are still drawn to the artwork because of its vibrant colour scheme, straightforward shapes, and surreal atmosphere, which entice us to explore a fanciful vision of the Brazilian countryside.
Highlighting Black Art
Salvador’s cultural landscape is enriched with African heritage. Without the contributions of Black Artists, whose works reflect the influence of Afro-Brazilian faiths, customs, and people, Bahia’s art would not be the same. Learn about some of the well-known names that comprise the museum’s collection and the ways in which up-and-coming artists are realising their ideas and cultural legacies.
Salvador, Bahia’s lively capital, is a distinctive destination due to its African roots. The city has the most African descendants worldwide.
Emanoel Araújo
Emanoel Araújo (1940-2022) incorporated Afro-Brazilian culture into his prints, paintings, and sculptures. Emanoel Araújo’s attention to Afro-Brazilian heritage is visible in his paintings.
Araújo’s impact extended beyond galleries and museums. As the director of the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo and later the Afro Brazil Emanoel Araújo Museum, he was honoured following his passing.
Panmela Castro
Powerful Brazilian artist and activist Panmela Castro (b. 1981) promotes women’s rights and social justice through her art. Her murals, paintings, and performances address gender equality and feminine identity.
In this picture, the artist depicts Federal University of Bahia scholar Ana Cláudia Lemos Pacheco, who studies the “solitude of the Black woman”.
Juarez Paraíso
Juarez Paraíso, a notable Brazilian artist (b. 1934), works in sculpture, painting, and printmaking. Paraíso has greatly influenced the art scene in Bahia and Brazil. His art is modernist with a twist.
Google’s uses interlocking circular structures that resemble organic shapes. His emphasis on circularity and organic forms distinguishes him from geometric modernism.
Tiago Sant’Ana
Contemporary Brazilian artist Tiago Sant’Ana (b. 1990) is making waves with his thought-provoking paintings on race, history, and power.
The “Sugar Shoes” series emphasises freedom’s precarious balance. These sugar shoes represent Black liberation. Their impending dissolving in seawater highlights their newfound citizenship’s vulnerability.
Anderson AC
Versatility defines Anderson AC (b. 1979). He works in painting, graffiti, collage, photography, video, and installation. Memory, history, and past-present links are common topics in his art.
His creations often start with found objects, giving them new life. This shows his interest in personal and collective histories.
