Portinari

Portinari is a surname of Italian origin. The most famous bearer is Candido Portinari (1903–1962), a Brazilian painter widely regarded as one of the leading figures of 20th‑century Brazilian art. Born in Brodowski, São Paulo, Portinari developed a distinctive style that fused modernist formal language with social realism, centering on the lives of Brazilian peasants, workers, and marginalized communities. His work is noted for its empathetic portrayal of social realities and its commitment to documenting Brazil’s diverse cultural and economic landscapes.

Among Portinari’s best‑known projects is the Guerra e Paz (War and Peace) mural cycle, created for the United Nations Headquarters in New York, along with numerous paintings and large canvases that depict rural labor, urban poverty, and everyday life. His career helped bring Brazilian modern art to an international audience and influenced generations of artists.

Legacy and institutions: The Portinari Foundation (Fundação Portinari) preserves and promotes his body of work, supports research, and organizes exhibitions and education programs. It maintains archives and operates museums, including facilities in Brodowski, Portinari’s birthplace, that present his life and art to the public. The Portinari name also appears in other cultural and scholarly contexts related to his oeuvre.