Joaquim Tenreiro Sculpture Ondulação
Price on request
Historical Design
Late 1960s
Lacquered Metal
35 x 91 x 35 cm
13.8 x 35.8 x 13.8 in
This sculpture exemplifies the mature work of Joaquim Tenreiro. In the late 1960s the designer stopped creating furniture and dedicated himself to painting and sculpting, artistic practices he had been pursuing throughout his life. The piece, whose title means “Undulation Sculpture”, shows Tenreiro embracing a modern aesthetic. The sculpture is made of metal yet creates a feeling of lightness, due to its form that exudes rhythm and energy. Though distinct in its style from Tenreiro’s furniture, the work also contains several motifs that appear in his designs. His interest in geometry is shown in the carefully controlled proportions of the undulating pattern. This mastery of forms creates a piece that is restrained and minimalist. Another hallmark of the designer’s style is the interplay between nature and artistry, seen in the way Tenerero takes an organic motif and controls it with a modern, geometric aesthetic. Through its material, motif, and proportions, the sculpture shows the designer exploring new artistic forms while staying connected to his individual style.
Artist
Joaquim Tenreiro
Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) is often referred to as the father of Brazilian modernism. The furniture designer was born in Portugal and moved to Rio de Janeiro in the late 1920s. In 1941, he received a commission to create furniture for a home designed by Oscar Niemeyer for the writer Francisco Inácio Peixoto. He designed modern furniture that fit the Brazilian style of life, often using native woods. He continued designing furniture until the late 1960s, when he then devoted himself to painting and sculpture.
