The illustration as a landscape of memory. The graphic work of Lima de Freitas, 1946-1993

The illustration as a landscape of memory. The graphic work of Lima de Freitas, 1946-1993

Moura, Rita

Article:

The plurality of the artistic universe and the history of graphic design, illustration and drawing in Portugal between 1940 — a year where two strong artistic currents arise: neo-realism and surrealism — and 1974 — a changing year in our history — encounter in José Maria Lima de Freitas’s (1927-1998) works the paradigmatic time and ways where many artists, coming from a neo-realism generation, evolve different paths, in particular surrealism, as the author. This paper’s purpose is to introduce Lima de Freitas and his artistic path focusing on his work as a Portuguese illustrator. This activity that he practiced, developed and perfected over thirty years in the XXth century, enlightening with expertise some of the greatest and most remarkable Portuguese and foreign writers. He was able to adapt and interpret expressively each author, always finding the perfect insertion in the writing of different periods of time and respective creators. Due to the multiplicity of Lima de Freitas´s legacy, the books with his drawings have been catalogued, a bibliographical inventory that unites the most significant images for each of his illustrated works, allowing to recognize the polygraphy where can be found the fundamental thread of his work as an image thinker.

The plurality of the artistic universe and the history of graphic design, illustration and drawing in Portugal between 1940 — a year where two strong artistic currents arise: neo-realism and surrealism — and 1974 — a changing year in our history — encounter in José Maria Lima de Freitas’s (1927-1998) works the paradigmatic time and ways where many artists, coming from a neo-realism generation, evolve different paths, in particular surrealism, as the author. This paper’s purpose is to introduce Lima de Freitas and his artistic path focusing on his work as a Portuguese illustrator. This activity that he practiced, developed and perfected over thirty years in the XXth century, enlightening with expertise some of the greatest and most remarkable Portuguese and foreign writers. He was able to adapt and interpret expressively each author, always finding the perfect insertion in the writing of different periods of time and respective creators. Due to the multiplicity of Lima de Freitas´s legacy, the books with his drawings have been catalogued, a bibliographical inventory that unites the most significant images for each of his illustrated works, allowing to recognize the polygraphy where can be found the fundamental thread of his work as an image thinker.

Palavras-chave:

DOI: 10.5151/despro-icdhs2014-0039

Referências bibliográficas

• [1] Brito, Margarida Acciaiuoli de (1991) Os anos 40 em Portugal: o país, o regime e as artes: ‘restauração’ e ‘celebração’ (texto policopiado), tese de doutoramento em História da Arte Contemporânea, Universidade Nova de Lisboa.
• [2] Côrte-Real, Eduardo (2001) O Triunfo da Virtude, Lisboa: Livros Horizonte.
• [3] Durand, Gilbert (1987) Mitolusismos de Lima de Freitas. Sacavém: Co-edição de Perspectivas Andamp; Realidades, Galeria Gilde.
• [4] França, José Augusto (1974) A Arte em Portugal no Séc. XX. Lisboa: Bertrand.
• [5] Freitas, Lima de (1971).Voz Visível. Lisboa: Ed. Autor.
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• [7] Gonçalves, Rui (1986) História de Arte em Portugal. Lisboa: Publicações Alfa, Vol. 13.
• [8] Mattoso, José (dir.); Rosas, Fernando (dir.) (1994) História de Portugal, o Estado Novo (1926-1974). Lisboa: Circulo de Leitores, 7.o Vol.
• [9] Moura, Rita Maia e (2007). O Pensador da Imagem, A Ilustração na Obra de José Maria Lima de Freitas (1927 -1998). Dissertação de Mestrado. Lisboa: IADE.
• [10] Pereira, Fernando António Baptista; (int.) (1997) Lima de Freitas, 50 Anos de Pintura. Lisboa: Hugin.
• [11] Portela, Artur (1982). Salazarismo e Artes Plásticas. Lisboa: Biblioteca Breve - Série «Artes Plásticas», ICALP.
• [12] Sousa, Ernesto de (1961). Lima de Feitas por Ernesto de Sousa. Colecção de Arte Contemporânea. Lisboa: Ed. Artis, Vol. 10.
• [13] Souto, Maria Helena (2009). História do Design em Portugal. Reflexões. Lisboa: Ed. IADE.

Como citar:

Moura, Rita; "The illustration as a landscape of memory. The graphic work of Lima de Freitas, 1946-1993", p-297-301. In: Tradition, Transition, Tragectories: major or minor influences? [=ICDHS 2014 - 9th Conference of the International Committee for Design History and Design Studies]. São Paulo: Blucher, 2014.
ISSN 23186968, DOI 10.5151/despro-icdhs2014-0039