Tarsila, a woman ahead of her time.
Tarsila was truly a woman ahead of her time, not just because of her work, but due to her personal life as well.
She married three times, and she also had other relationships.
Of course, this wasn’t accepted, it was not well seen at the time; [Tarsila was born in 1886, in São Paulo’s countryside] she was rejected even by her own family.
And her work too, considered avant-garde, it was very misunderstood at the time.
The Palaces Collection of the São Paulo State Government [the Collection owns 16 of Tarsila’s works] was very important to Tarsila.
It's the biggest collection of her work or at least, the one with more oils on canvas.
Her “Self-portrait” is one of her great masterpieces. [“Self-portrait I” is from 1924]
She portrays herself with such a modern look, so avant-garde, with her hair pulled back, huge earrings, a bright red lipstick – it all became her personal brand.
Even “Workers”, one of the most important paintings in Brazilian art.
She starts the discussion with full force...
It’s 1933 when she paints it.
This painting belongs to the Palaces Collection, which is a huge source of pride both for us and for the Brazilian people.
I always see people feeling represented in that painting. So many different faces, people of all races, [51 faces of different ethnicities] people of all colors, of all religions.
I remember something my father always told me, that when she decided to sell it, she asked my father, who was her lawyer, to not take part in the sale because she wished this work belonged to a public collection, and when the sale was closed, it was for a very special price.
And I’m so thankful to the São Paulo State Government, for exhibiting and displaying these works. [Learn more at: www.acervo.sp.gov.br]