Tarsila : a colorful journey with my best artful critics (aka kids)
Tarsila do Amaral exhibition at Musée du Luxembourg (until 2 February)
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This week-end, I put down the camera and ventured into Musée du Luxembourg, dragging along my favorite “skeptical companions”… i.e. my three kids (aged 6 to 11). The lure? A "trip to the garden playground". My favorite moment? Their faces when we reached Jardins du Luxembourg (Jardin = Garden) and they realize they have been trapped again ;-). The playground is actually a museum. Cue groans…
But no Mona Lisa this time ! A detour - instead - into the fantastic world of Tarsila do Amaral, Brazil’s queen of modernism. This exhibition, brimming with vibrant colors, Brazilian folklore, and her revolutionary spirit, turned my reluctant critics into enthusiastic art fans. And me? I walked away inspired by her bold brushstrokes and an immense crush for her multiple drawings (studies)… you may remember I am a drawing fan (see my last newsletter on Paris Photo 2024).
Now, welcome to the world of Tarsila !
The Star of the Show: Saci-Pererê (1925)
The exhibition (for families) starts with this playful figure, a one-legged trickster from Brazilian folklore who serves as icon for the kid’s audio-guide. With his cheeky grin and striking red hat, he had them laughing and guessing what mischief he might pull next. Tarsila’s ability to mix humor with culture in her art was on full display. We all agreed: Saci-Perere is a star (at least mine… for saving the day with the kids).
Nice to meet ya, Tars’
These two portraits tell us as much about Tarsila’s art as her character. Her self-portrait radiates confidence and modernist poise, while Benedito Duarte’s interpretation gives us a softer, more glamorous Tarsila. According to the exhibition guide , Parisian contemporary recalls: “We were left in awe, contemplating the masterpiece that is Tarsila herself! Tarsila dresses in art.”
Blues and Geometry
This striking piece, a study in curves and shades of blue, had me mesmerized. Just for this piece, take a detour to the Musée du Luxembourg ; with or without kids.
Bursts of Color
These are the paintings that screamed Brazil: loud, vibrant, and full of life ! The Eiffel tower of Carnaval em Madureira (1924) and the geometric charm of Cartão Postal (1929) helped me illustrate without a map that Tarsila spend life between Paris and Sao Paul. Together, they felt like postcards from a joyful, technicolor dream.
I attempted to illustrate a parallel with Douanier Rousseau… Hum ! I backed down
Political Layers : communism in cubism
A big part of the exhibition - and Tarsila’s life - explores her political work. The grand and well known Operários, A Negra and Abaporu paintings obviously bring a lot of emotions. But I was very touched by the numerous - and unexpected - preparatory sketches showcased in the exhibition ; you may remember I am a drawing fan (see : my last newsletter on Paris Photo 2024).
Tarsila’s sketches and studies are a masterclass in understated brilliance. While they flirt with the structured aesthetics of Cubism - think angular forms, layered planes and an almost analytical deconstruction - they remain unmistakably Brazilian, infused with a poetic softness that feels like a whisper of her homeland. Her drawings are a reminder that structure and soul can coexist beautifully, crafting a visual language uniquely her own.
Final Thoughts
If you need a refreshing explosion of color through our foggy Parisian winter, this exhibition is a must-see. It’s a reminder of how art can be bold, joyful, and deeply meaningful all at once. If you have kids, don’t hesitate to bring them along. But instead of trapping them… better promise a hot chocolate at Angelina at the exit.
Open until 2 February…
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