“A Grande Artista Pintor Manoel Madruga” reads the inscription. This bronze bust before you honors a remarkable Brazilian artist. It stands as a tribute from the Sociedades dos Artistas Nacionais. Also, the Associaçao dos Artistas Brasileiros and Sociedade Brasileira de Belas Artes pay homage.
Let’s delve into the story of Manoel Madruga. He was born Manuel Pereira Madruga Filho in Teresópolis. The date was September 20, 1872. He passed away in Rio de Janeiro on June 16, 1951. Madruga excelled as a graphic artist. He was also a designer, art professor, and painter.
Madruga studied at the Academia Imperial de Belas Artes. His teachers included José Maria de Medeiros and Zeferino da Costa. Furthering his education, he went to Paris. There, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts. Henri Rochefort mentored him. Madruga also attended the Academia Julian. Jean-Paul Laurens and Marcel Baschet guided him.
In 1891, Madruga studied at Antônio Parreiras’ open-air school. He lived in Paris from 1894 to 1940. In 1910, the French government honored him. He became an Officer of the Academia. Madruga created a panel for Brazil’s pavilion. It was displayed at the International Exposition of Turin in 1911. The French government gave him another title in 1924. He was named Officer de l’Instruction Publique. Then, in 1936, he became a Knight of the Legion of Honor.
Madruga returned to Brazil in 1940. He settled permanently in Rio de Janeiro. That year, he won a competition. It was for decorating the Salão Nobre of the Palácio da Guerra.
Flory Gama sculpted this bust of Manoel Madruga. It rests on a stone pedestal. Madruga’s legacy lives on through his art. He was a landscape artist and portraitist. He was also a decorative painter. His historical and allegorical themes show an excellent technique. His talent was substantial. Despite his Brazilian subjects, he remained a French artist in style. Madruga embraced a late form of Impressionism. He cultivated it with genuine emotion.
Notice the bronze and stone. Feel the dedication to Madruga’s memory. Consider his journey from Teresópolis to Paris. He left behind a lasting mark on Brazilian art. This tribute ensures that the story of Manoel Madruga will endure.