Drawings and notes by Eugênio de Proença Sigaud (1944)

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Sketch of panels of the famous São Jorge church, in Rio de Janeiro, by the artist Eugênio de Proença Sigaud.

Drawings and notes by Eugênio de Proença Sigaud. One page. In Portuguese. 26.5 cm x 32.5 cm outside, 21.5 cm x 23.4 cm inside. No location information, 1944. Pasted and protected by film, excellent condition. Single piece.

apostles
Angel – Saint Luke
Taurus – San Matheus
Eagle – Saint John the Evangelist
León – San Marcos

prophets
Isaiah
Geremias
Ezequiel
Daniel

1° = [Mats] for two panels that I will paint
in the Church of São Jorge, I painted the tapestries on iron
in front of the panels like this they will venerate Saint Mauritius [of the leader]

Painter, engraver, graphic artist, illustrator, scenographer, critic, professor, architect and poet... Eugênio de Proença Sigaud (1899 - 1979) from Minas Gerais is known as the painter of workers, exploring in his canvases and murals, in a way intense and militant, a clearly social theme. It represented the worker in his productive context, in the midst of constructions with iron structures, concrete, scaffolding, typical of construction sites, but also on the street, in the midst of traffic, in factories, railroads, bridges, shipyards and, later, passing by from the city to the countryside. He worked with the architect Lúcio Costa in 1931, participated in the Portinari Group in 1935, supported the communist candidate Carlos Prestes in 1946 and carried out numerous important works, exhibited in Brazil and abroad.

"I'm a communist and an engineer, I've always dealt with workers, which explains the choice of my subjects. I've always been aware of the social role of art. I've always been involved in politics. In my opinion, everything serves political interests. Freedom of creation, however, it is fundamental". And yet, about his painting: "it was never a gratuitous act, not even my architecture. It is, above all, a conscious and firm attitude, a purpose with artistic, political and social objectives. and the greatness of the humble work of the worker, this anonymous worker in all sectors of the greatness of the country (MORAES, 1979).

The document presented here is a preparatory work on the stained glass windows in the church of São Jorge, in Rio de Janeiro. The church of São Jorge is known for the celebrations of the Day of the Holy Warrior (April 23) in honor of São Jorge, with the participation of half a million people in the celebrations, during one week, every April. There are lectures, shows, a theater, fireworks and, later, mass with Bishop Orani. Tributes take place in several other parts of Rio de Janeiro.

Saint George is one of the most revered saints in Catholicism and is immortalized in the legend in which he slays the dragon. Legend has it that Saint George was a military man and was tortured by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, around the year 302 AD (after Christ), to convert him. As he did not deny Christianity, he was beheaded on April 23, 303 AD The amount of miracles attributed to Saint George is immense. According to tradition, he protects and favors all those who turn to him with faith and devotion, winning battles, demands, persecutions and injustices.

Sigaud produced many drawings during his lifetime, but this document, about one of his best-known works, features a sketch in excellent condition and illuminating comments by the artist himself.