Tarsila: gravuras and Louvor à natureza, timeless drawings by Tarsila do Amaral

Abstract

We discuss the theme of drawing in the work of Tarsila do Amaral investigated from its relationship with engraving. First, we revisit the bibliography on the place of drawing in the artist's work, defining a theoretical position in dialogue with it. Then, we elect as object of study a series of prints made from the artist's drawings, which belong to the Museum of Contemporary Art of the University of São Paulo. This is a production that makes explicit the movement made by Tarsila do Amaral, after the 1960s, for the circulation of her work in Brazil. Investigating Tarsila do Amaral's motivation to permit to engrave her drawings, with the purpose of proposing new reflections, we suggest that these prints present the eternalization of the artist's drawings.