Tag: Dinge zu tun

How to find and what to see at the Brennand Art Museum, Recife, PE, Brazil – the works of a mythological, modern and sensual artist (one of Brazil’s greatest artists)

Francisco Brennand is one of the most important and celebrated artists in Brazil. He was the son of a wealthy industrialist, Ricardo Monteiro Brennand.  From an early age, he worked at the pottery factory his father had founded in 1917, and he was an informal pupil of potter Abelardo da Hora.   He also developed drawing skills, made caricatures, and illustrated the poems of his contemporary, Ariano Suassuna.  His talent for painting was stimulated when his father invited several artists to paint landscapes surrounding around his properties.  Artists that influenced Francis Brennand included Álvaro Amorim, Balthazar de Cãmara, Mário Nunes and Murillo La Greca.

It was with La Greca that Brennand created his first sculpture A Cabeça de Deborah (Deborah´s Head).  In 1947, he received a prize for painting from the Art Salon of the State Museum of Pernambuco.  In 1949, he travelled to Europe to study ceramics, visiting France, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain and Italy, was influenced by Picasso, Miró, Léger and Gaudi.  In 1971, he returned from Europe set about restoring the pottery factory for his museum.  The museum / old pottery factory is located close to Recife near to the Capibaribe River in the midst of the Atlantic Forest, the surviving part of the Mata Atlantica coastal forest. This cultural institution holds the many wonderful collections of Ricardo Brennand. The collections include relics from different historical times, a library-full of Recife’s Dutch history books, collection of arms, tapestries, sculptures, and more. The grounds of the museum are like a park, lots of green things and great for strolling. The Instituto Ricardo Brennand is definitely a great place for sightseeing and learning plenty of things.

Two of the oldest and most spectacular features of the museum complex are the water and sculpture garden that were landscaped by Brazil´s most famous landscaper, Brule Marx.  Between temples, ponds and fountains are many of Brennands works including murals and sculptures inspired by flora, fauna, and mythological, historic and literary figures.  Many are also very sensuous and erotic, based on Brennand’s main focus of study, the female body.

Inside the large warehouse style buildings are many art works that will keep you thinking long after you leave. The museum holds the many wonderful collections of Brennand’s work. The collections include relics from different historical times, a library-full of Recife’s Dutch history books, collection of arms, tapestries, sculptures, and more. The grounds of the institute are park like, with lots of green trees.  It is a great place for a strolling. The Instituto Ricardo Brennand is definitely a great place for sightseeing and learning plenty of things.

Brennand’s museum is one of the most thought-provoking places I have visited, and is one of the places in Recife that you have to visit.  Brennand’s work can be seen in other parts of Recife, and Brazil.  A map showing the museum’s place, and a few photos from my visit to are shown below.

Brennand Museum is located west of Recife. It can be reached within 20 minutes from most any place in Recife.
Brennand Museum is located west of Recife, and can be reached within 20 minutes from most places in Recife.
You drive through part of the last remaining part of the Mata Atlantica coastal forest as you enter the Brennand Museum.
You drive through the last remaining part of the Mata Atlantica coastal forest as you enter the grounds of the Brennand Museum.
You are greeted by these figures when you arrive at the Brennand Museum.
You are greeted by these figures when you arrive at the Brennand Museum.
This art work was added to one of the walls of the old ceramic factory that previously occupied this site. This is along the walk way from the parking area into the museum.
This art work was added to one of the walls of the old ceramic factory that previously occupied this site. This is along the walk way from the parking area into the museum.
The art work certainly gives one plenty to think about.
Brennand’s art work certainly gives one plenty to think about.
Brennand was the creator of most of the work in the museum.
Brennand was the creator of most of the work in the museum.
This is one of the works inside the museum.
This is one of the works inside the museum.

One needs to allow at least a half a day to visit the Brennand Museum.  If you are a serious art student, it would be better to allow an entire day.

Recife was one of the first cities in Brazil, but is full of modern art.  Other information available on Francisco Brennand include:

My gallery of photos taken during my visit to the Brennand Museum can be seen below.  Click your mouse on any photo you would like to see enlarged.  You an also see a slide show of the photos by clicking on slide show feature in the lower left of any photo.