1. Camoes
The Shakespeare of Portugal, the Dante of lusitan culture, the Cervantes from Lisbon. All Portuguese language literature is indebted to Camoes. He is the defining writer on all luso-Brazilian literary endeavors. Most memorable line (referring to the Portuguese language): Utlimo flor do lacio, inculta e bela (last flower of latin, unknown and beautiful). Of course, Camoes is not Brazilian, but Brazilian literature is Camoes.
2. Goncalves Dias
How do I describe Goncalves Dias. It is like Longfellow meets Frost. His is the most beautiful verse in Brazilian poetry, by far.
3. Mario de Andrade
Because of his influence on all modern art, Andrade is an easy choice for this list. His works are difficult and obscure, but mark a break from the romanticism and classical tradition followed by all writers until the early 20th century. Most famous work: Macunaima. A good school project would be to get a bunch of gringos in a room, show the film version and ask them what it is all about.
4. Jorge Amado
The best known and most popular writer in Brazil. His novels portray common people and their everyday problems. How many American writers would focus on a Turk storekeeper named Nacib and a maid, as in Gabriela. The only small thing I have against Amado is the picture of him hugging Joseph Stalin, taken in the early 50s. Obviously, Jorge Amado's sympathy for the downtrodden does not extend to the 20-30 million murdered by his communist friend and hero.
5. Carmen Miranda
Carmen is another artist that must be put on a list such as this. Born in Portugal, she embodies the spirit of Brazil in the 1930s and 40s. It is more than just the movies, the music and the dances. The only way to compare Carmen to any American artist would be to put Mae West, Judy Garland and Betty Gable into one body. Going to Hollywood was her biggest triumph and tragedy. She went to the US with nothing but her talent, made it big, and returned in a coffin a dozen years later. I only wish she had not been so stereotyped in her pictures, and that the "Brazilian" scenes had not been filmed with so many Mexican style backgrounds and costumes.
6. Chico Buarque and Caetano Veloso
These two could be listed separately, or together. Nobody else represents contemporary MPB (Popular Brazilian Music) like these guys. They have music and feeling. The lyrics are as good as the music. Their influence is greater than any other living song writers. Sent into exile by the Military regime in the 70s, they were a voice of hope to millions wanting a democratic nation. Like Jorge Amado, Chico thinks a person doesn't count if killed or persecuted by his Communist buddies.
7. Roberto Carlos
The last of the great romantics. His popularity is unmatched in all groups and ages of society. Not a great voice, but for 30 some years he was defined "romantic" music in Brazil. He is one of those few people crowned with the "Rei" title, along with other "kings" such as Pele and Luiz Gonzaga. His name is rarely mentioned when talking about MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira), which is for some reason usually associated with Chico, Caetano, Gil, Milton, etc...
8. Erico Verissimo
Verissimo is in a class by himself, not only because of his literary production, but also for his ability to explain Brazilan writing. His 1945 book, Brazilian Literature, is one of the best general resources for those interested in the topic. He is able to explain in simple language how and why things happened.
9. Carlos Drummond de Andrade
10. Heitor Villa-Lobos
Villa-lobos was Brazil's most famous composer. His formal musical training was scanty, but he traveled widely through Brazil, absorbing folklore and popular music. Befriended by the pianist Arthur Rubinstein, who played his music in the United States and Europe, Villa-Lobos was able to spend the years from 1923 to 1930 in Europe, living primarily in Paris. A prolific composer, his best-known works are the 9 Bachianas Brasileiras (1930-45) and the 14 Choros (1920-28), written for a wide range of performance media, from solo guitar to full orchestra, band, and chorus. All are strongly imbued with Brazilian color.
11. Candido Portinari
Partinari (1903 - 1962) is the most widely recognized of Brazil's painters. He introduced many of the ideas and trends of modern painting in Brazil. After studying art in Rio de Janeiro he traveled (1928) to Europe. Returning to his native country, he dedicated his art to the depiction of Brazilian life in a modern yet distinctly Brazilian manner, often emphasizing gauchos (cowboys) and city workers. His early (1930s) paintings of men and women show Picasso's influence. Portinari is well known for his many murals, including the works War and Peace presented (1955) to the United Nations building in New York City.
12. Antonio Carlos Jobim.
If this list were in order of importance and talent, Jobim would have been up on top with Carmen. Nobody did music like Jobim. He had the rare ability to find the right words and put them to the right tune.
That's it: 6 writers, 1 painter, 1 sculptor, 1 movie star, 1 composor and 4 singer-composers. Does that add up? Well I counted Caetano and Buarque as one and Carmen Miranda as two, being both a singer and a movie star. Carmen deserves it.
SHORT LIST OF THE MOST OVER-RATED BRAZILIAN ARTISTS:
This is based upon pure personal opinion and prejudice. If these people can be considered people of the arts, well I'm a monkey's uncle.
A. Nelson Rodriques
If this little pervert liked sheep and had a collection of green panty-hose, fine, but when critics say things like "Rodrigues paints a vivid picture of the dark, hidden side of urban middle-class family life", well maybe his family.B. Mario de Andrade
Not the one above, but his twin brother. I never did meet anybody that had actually read one of his works. This guy had some serious hang-ups. Will somebody explain Macunaima to me?C. Mamonas
Unfit even for Nelson Robrigues' sheep. And music should have some redeeming social value.D. Amaral Neto
O reporter. This is my way of getting back at all those horrible short documentary films made by Mr. Amaral, which were required by law to be shown before feature movies. At the end of these short films (called trailers), the audience would often clap for joy.E. GuGu and Bolinha
and all the Sunday afternoon junk on Brazilian TV. It really makes you miss Silvio Santos and Chacrinha.
