Artwork

Portrait of the painter A. Bracet

Portrait of the painter A. Bracet, by Artur Timóteo da Costa, oil, 1912
Portrait of the painter A. Bracet, by Artur Timóteo da Costa, oil, 1912

Portrait of the painter A. Bracet is an oil painting by Artur Timóteo da Costa. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the Pinacoteca de São Paulo.

About this work

Overview

Artur Timóteo da Costa painted a portrait of fellow artist A. Bracet around 1912. Executed in oil on canvas, the work is part of the collection of the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo. The composition presents a solitary figure, rendered with a restrained palette and a focus on the sitter’s direct gaze.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas shows A. Bracet, a contemporary painter, seated with a solemn expression. His dark hair and white collared shirt are set against a deep, almost black background, emphasizing his facial features. The direct eye contact invites the viewer into an intimate encounter, suggesting a study of the artist’s character rather than a narrative scene.

Technique & Style

Timóteo da Costa employs chiaroscuro to model the sitter’s form, using strong contrasts between light and shadow to create a three‑dimensional presence. The brushwork is controlled, allowing fine detail in the wrinkles and the prominent nose, while the dark backdrop remains smooth, enhancing the luminosity of the face and clothing.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1912, the portrait entered the holdings of the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo, one of Brazil’s principal art museums. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s early 20th‑century efforts to document the nation’s artistic community, preserving a visual record of a peer within Timóteo da Costa’s circle.

Artist & collection