Running Figures

Cândido Portinari (1903–1962) was one of Brazil’s most celebrated painters and a leading figure in Latin American modernism. Born to Italian immigrant parents on a coffee plantation in Brodowski, São Paulo, Portinari’s humble beginnings deeply influenced his work, which often portrayed the struggles of Brazil’s working class. He studied at the National School of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro and later traveled to Europe, where he absorbed elements of modernist styles while maintaining a strong Brazilian identity in his art. Portinari’s vast body of work spans murals, frescoes, and paintings, characterized by powerful social themes, bold colors, and dynamic forms. Among his most famous works are the War and Peace panels, commissioned for the United Nations headquarters in New York. A passionate advocate for social justice, Portinari even ran for political office. His commitment to portraying the human condition left an enduring impact on both Brazilian and global art history.