At almost 100 years old, Oscar Niemeyer writes about Brasília, his works, the passing of time and describes his greatest inspiration: women.

• Sketchbook by Oscar Niemeyer , with nine pages of text and six original drawings.
• No information about location, 2000s. 15 pages, nothing on the back of them.
• 28 cm x 20 cm.
• In Portuguese.
• Excellent condition, a slight crease on the top.
• Unique piece.

It's been 10 years since Oscar Niemeyer passed away, at the age of 104 and with a life of extraordinary work and works in Brazil and around the world. To commemorate this date, I present to you an exceptional document for those who love architecture or simply beauty.

This is a set of sheets of paper attached to a Niemeyer notebook. First, there are nine pages of text and then six drawings (one on each sheet). I confess that the set is largely mysterious, because Niemeyer 's writing is almost illegible.

What I know for sure is that it was written by Niemeyer , and that it ended up in a traditional bookstore in Rio de Janeiro, which the architect used to frequent. Unfortunately, the bookstore closed, like many others in recent years. But I managed to rescue this treasure.

It is moving for me to know that (...) now they will really be in Portugal (...) they were gone for many years (...) it was with enthusiasm that I received the news that (...) my works will be exhibited in Lisbon Portugal, architects (...) let's talk about the architecture of Brasília (...) courtesy (...) time flies, rulers succeed one another (...) contacts. (...) but life goes on (...) it was with pleasure that I received the news that the exhibition (...) my works (...) Portuguese (...) this love. I can't go to Portugal (...) Brasília celebrates its anniversary, it is time to leave aside (...) we go back to remember if those who collaborated (...) JK appears there (...).

A letter? A speech? A future book? Or simply thoughts? These words are enigmatic, but we can make assumptions about the date. Given the fact that he mentions the anniversary of Brasília, inaugurated in 1960, and that this handwriting is characteristic of the end of his life, close to his centenary, we can assume that it is a round date, perhaps 2000 or 2010. Niemeyer died in 2012. But since he speaks of an important exhibition in Portugal, it could be the 1998 Universal Exhibition, where he was honored.

I enjoyed witnessing the feelings of this great personality and words such as: “moving”, “with enthusiasm”, “it was with pleasure”, “such love”, which show how much Oscar Niemeyer appreciated the interest of the public and professionals in his work, even though he had been renowned for decades. I also noticed a certain melancholy: “time passes, rulers succeed one another” and “life goes on”. Even more important, for us collectors and institutions, is the fact that he mentioned Brasília and JK, the most emblematic episode of his career.

The drawings in this block are easier to understand. Women, sensuality, eroticism. “Only the free and sensual curve attracts me,” he says. Oscar Niemeyer ’s famous curves were the inspiration for almost all of his impressive buildings, sculptures and furniture. He began in 1940, in Belo Horizonte. The Alvorada Palace in Brasília? A sculptural female body, according to the monomaniac architect, who saw graphic lines everywhere.

Drawings attributed to Niemeyer are not rare on the market, but 95% are forgeries or copies. I believe that, along with Tarsila do Amaral, Niemeyer ranks first in the ranking of the most forged Brazilian artists. Perhaps because of the relative simplicity of his lines. The authentic ones are often preserved at the Oscar Niemeyer Foundation in Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, these fifteen sheets are exceptional and a unique opportunity.