In 1939, Heitor Villa-Lobos presented Bastos Tigre with a humorous autographed portrait.
Autographed portrait of Heitor Villa-Lobos for Bastos Tigre.
Black and white photography.
2.5cm x 17.5cm.
Rio de Janeiro, November 27, 1939.
Good condition.
Unique piece.
Transcription
Dear Bastos, There goes a wolf for a friendly tiger Rio, 11/27/939
Manuel Bastos Tigre (1882–1957) was a multifaceted Brazilian intellectual born in Recife. He worked as an engineer, librarian, journalist, poet, composer, humorist and is known for being a pioneer in Brazilian advertising. The relationship between Bastos Tigre and Heitor Villa-Lobos is not documented, but this dedication shows a great complicity between them.
This is not surprising. During the 1930s and 1940s, Brazil experienced a great cultural effervescence, especially in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Intellectuals and artists from different fields frequently met and collaborated, contributing to an environment rich in creativity and exchange of ideas.
What gives this document value is the beautiful association of two great names in Brazilian cultural history, an atypical photograph of the composer and, above all, an intelligent and amusing dedication by Villa-Lobos.
