Manuel Gustavo Bordalo Pinheiro # 2: drawing stories (1880s-1890s)

Complete and multifaceted artist, creator of a vast body of graphic work and innovations in ceramics, melding Art Nouveau with the naturalist tradition of Caldas da Rainha.

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Pontos nos ii Quinto Anno 1889 (1889-05-01) by Rafael Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

1880s 

Manuel Maria Bordallo Pinheiro (1880-02-07) by Columbano Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

The early 1880s, marked by the death of his grandfather Manuel Maria, were a crucial period in Manuel Gustavo's artistic career.

Difficult trial (1883) by Columbano Bordalo PinheiroAnastácio Gonçalves House-Museum

Manuel Gustavo posed a number of times as a model for his uncle Columbano, who captured his childhood in various works,
including this painting of the young man focussed intently on playing a piece on the piano.

Desenho de Manuel Gustavo Bordalo Pinheiro (1883-07-01) by Manuel Gustavo Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

Albums or sketch books were another recurring element in the apprenticeship of young illustrators, particularly those dedicated to plein air depictions of landscapes.


Dating from 1883, this album contains Manuel Gustavo's earliest known drawings, including various studies of the human figure in charcoal.

Manuel Gustavo Bordalo Pinheiro (1884-07) by Estúdio CamachoMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

Since 1884, the year he made his début in O Antonio Maria with the illustration ‘Inda é noite…’ [The sun hasn’t yet risen] (01.05.1884), Manuel Gustavo was a constant presence in Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro's satirical newspapers, distinguishing himself as a cartoonist in Pontos nos ii from 1887 onwards, with the publication of entire pages dedicated to political cartoons.


Rafael Bordalo's prolonged sojourns in Caldas da Rainha, where he had begun working at his recently inaugurated Faience Factory, gave Manuel Gustavo the space to dedicate himself to the newspaper, where he was responsible for illustrating various sections of the publication.


From Caldas da Rainha, Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro also sent illustrations for many of the newspaper's pages, which Manuel took charge of transposing into lithographs.


In 1889, the year Rafael was in Paris to oversee the decoration of the Portuguese Pavilion at the Exposition Universelle, Manuel Gustavo single handedly illustrated 12 sections for Pontos nos ii.

"The sun hasn’t yet risen..." (1884-05-01) by Manuel Gustavo Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

In 1884, Manuel Gustavo had his first published illustration featured in the periodical O Antonio Maria.

The new contributor was introduced by Rafael as follows:


'We present to you, the general public, and the readers of Antonio Maria in particular, our very own first-born, that is to say, the presumptive heir of our glory and our cartoons, flesh of our flesh, pen of our pens (...)'

"At the Beaches" (1884-09-11) by Manuel Gustavo Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

And so it began. Manuel Gustavo set out on his path by illustrating comic anecdotes in his father's periodicals, a collaboration that was, at first, sporadic.


Among the everyday themes he focused on were beach outings.

Fábrica de Faianças das Caldas da Rainha (c. 1889) by Unknown photographerMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

In 1884, Rafael founded the Caldas da Rainha Faience Factory.

Manuel Gustavo Bordalo Pinheiro with a group of youths from Caldas da RainhaMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

Occasionally, Manuel Gustavo would accompany his father on his trips to Caldas da Rainha, where he fraternised with local youth and society, whom he would later caricature.

Manuel Gustavo

Group with Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro (1884) by Unknown photographerMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

Family gatherings were captured in photographs. This one is of a picnic in what appears to be Foz do Arelho.


On the left side, a young Manuel Gustavo (2) stands next to his uncle Columbano (3) and his aunt Maria Augusta (6). On the right side, Rafael, his father, (5) is next to Elvira, his mother (6).

'The Gestation of a drawing" (1889-07-11)Museu Bordalo Pinheiro

From 1885 onwards, Manuel Gustavo began to make a more active contribution to the periodical Pontos nos ii.


From his father, he inherited a penchant for portraying himself as a character in his drawings, which are an amusing testament to his personality.


This can be seen in 'The Gestation of a drawing', on a hot summer day...

... in which the temptation of a beer gets the better of him.

"True Story (continuation)" (1892-08-06)Museu Bordalo Pinheiro

Another example is 'True story', executed in Coimbra, which is notable for its portrayal of a camera as a shiny new 'detective'.

"Exposition Universelle – Seine riverbank" (1889-06-29) by MicheletMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

1889 was marked by his father's absence, which led to a greater volume of work for Manuel Gustavo.


Rafael journeyed to Paris to plan and oversee the decoration of the Portuguese Pavilion at the Exposition Universelle, which his son also visited.

Exposition Universelle in Paris (1889)Museu Bordalo Pinheiro

Special number dedicated to the Universal Exhibition of Paris published in Pontos nos ii in 1889.

Pontos nos ii Quinto Anno 1889 (1889-05-01) by Rafael Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

The main contributors to Pontos nos ii: Manuel Gustavo, Pan Tarântula (Alfredo Morais Pinto), who wrote many of the periodical's texts, and Rafael.


In the background is the recently inaugurated Eiffel Tower.

Letter from Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro to Manuel Gustavo page 2 (1889-06-17) by Rafael Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

The young artist was given an opportunity to solely illustrate entire sections of the newspaper Pontos nos ii.


Writing from Paris, Rafael offered his encouragement:

'My dear Manuel, (...)'

'(…) You can be certain that your drawings are on par with the best of what is produced here in France. This is why I have sent you all the leading newspapers that are published here so you can gain the confidence in yourself that you so need.(…)’

“Manuel Gustavo Bordallo Pinheiro” (1906)Museu Bordalo Pinheiro

1890s   

The themes explored in the artist's graphic oeuvre show that a new interest in sports was emerging, as seen in 'Lawn-tennis at Caldas da Rainha' and 'Football Match', with special attention paid to Fencing and Bicycle Racing in verité reports or adaptations to political critique. Society chronicles also portrayed notable personalities who gathered in the bullfighting arenas and clubs of Cascais and Estoril, events Manuel often frequented. Despite the ardently political nature of his illustrations, in keeping with the panorama of 19th century cartoons, its principal figure being Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, the representation of new themes related to social commentary and the idea of progress gained prominence in his work.

Beginning with the second series of  'O Antonio Maria' in 1891 and 'A Parodia', we encounter reports about a new kind of rhythm in the city of Lisbon, with items on 'gas lamps', the 'electric novelty' in public transport and the new, frightening concept of speed with the introduction of new automotive vehicles. Social issues also had a place, with commentaries on women's liberation and the high cost of living, and denunciations of poverty and hunger suffered by parts of the populace.

Letter from Eugénio de Castro to Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro page 2 (1890-06-08) by Eugénio de CastroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

In June 1890, Eugénio de Castro, a friend of the artist, described his sensitive personality as follows:

'He is an excellent fellow who has the wonderful temperament of an artist; aside from these rare qualities, he is possessed of a clear, penetrating spirit like few others (...) His greatest defect is to view (...)'

Letter from Eugénio de Castro to Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro page 3 (1890-06-08) by Eugénio de CastroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

'(...) the world through the blue-tinted glasses of disillusion, rather than with the monocle of sarcastic derision. After all, the truth, my friend, is that our decadence is enough to make one laugh (...)'

"Columbian Historical Exposition at Madrid – Portuguese Section" (1892-12-22) by Rafael Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

In 1892, Manuel Gustavo collaborated with his father on the Columbian Historical Exposition in Madrid and was made a Knight of the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic.

"Exhibition Staff" (1892-12-30) by Rafael Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

"Football Match" (1894-03-14) by Manuel Gustavo Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

In the 1890s, various drawings showcased Manuel Gustavo's interest in sports, including football, bicycle racing and tennis, the latter of which he played for many years.

"A Page out of Cascais" (1894-10-04) by Manuel Gustavo Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

In his drawings, Manuel Gustavo registered his constant presence at Sporting Club and Club do Monte Estoril, where events were frequented by the wealthy bourgeoisie of Cascais.

"Pages from my notebook (ingenuous drawing)" (1891-10-08) by Manuel Gustavo Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

“Manuel Gustavo Bordallo Pinheiro” (1906)Museu Bordalo Pinheiro

Manuel Gustavo began his career as a Drawing Instructor at the Rodrigues Sampaio School in 1896.

‘Renowned Fencers’ (1892-05-27) by Manuel Gustavo Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

As an amateur fencer studying under Master António Martins, Manuel Gustavo took part in fencing matinees at Real Ginásio Club Português in 1886 and at the Salão da Trindade Tournaments in 1898 and 1899.

"An Unfortunate League" (1897) by Manuel Gustavo Bordalo PinheiroMuseu Bordalo Pinheiro

From 1897 to 1915, Manuel Gustavo illustrated comic strips in the back pages of various Portuguese illustrated magazines.

A keen sportsman, many of his drawings showed his passion for bicycle racing and tennis.

Credits: Story

COORDINATION
João Alpuim Botelho e Gisela Miravent

RESEARCH AND TEXTS
Mariana Caldas de Almeida

SUBTITLES
Mariana Caldas de Almeida e Pedro Bebiano Braga

PRODUCTION, IMAGE AND DOCUMENTATION
Cláudia Jorge Freire

EXTERNAL IMAGES | THANKS
Arquivo Municipal de Lisboa/Fotográfico
Casa-Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves
Fábrica Bordallo Pinheiro – Casa Museu San Raphael
Hemeroteca Municipal de Lisboa
Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea do Chiado

TRANSLATION
Kennis Translations


Continue your visit in:
Parte 1: Manuel Gustavo Bordalo Pinheiro # I: paving the way (1867 - 1870s)
Parte 3: Manuel Gustavo Bordalo Pinheiro # III: a ceramicist beginning (1900s)
Parte 4: Manuel Gustavo Bordalo Pinheiro # IV: humor in daily life (1910 - 1920)

Credits: All media
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