Antonio Bento and Romero Brest: art criticism in São Paulo cultural scene (1940-1950).

Abstract

This article analyzes the critical production of two renowned names in Latin America’s 20^th century scenario: Antonio Bento and Romero Brest. These authors were contemporaneous and left important contributions to the art critique in their respective countries, Brazil and Argentina, for the consolidation of abstractionism.  Through a comparative approach to both critics, we highlight the similarities and differences in their discourses. The city of São Paulo was marked by important cultural changes: the foundation of MASP and the I Art Biennial of  São Paulo.

Ultimately, we sought to evince the contributions of an art critique specialized in building and promoting abstract art as artistic language also pertinent to Brazil and Argentina.