Francisco Brennand

Born and bred in the vibrant city of Recife, Brazil, Francisco Brennand (1927-2019) left an indelible mark on the world of art with his unparalleled ceramic sculptures and murals.

Biography of Francisco Brennand

Brennand's artistic journey commenced in 1949 when he embarked on a transformative sojourn to Paris to study painting. This pivotal experience laid the foundation for his artistic exploration and set the stage for his future endeavors. The following year marked a significant milestone in his career as he clinched the Second Prize at the 9th Pernambuco Salon with his captivating painting "Mamão e Bananas" (Papaya and Bananas).

In 1961, he began creating the ceramic mural "Batalha dos Guararapes," featuring poems by César Leal and Ariano Suassuna. In 1971, he took part in the 11th Bienal de São Paulo. That same year, inspired by a visit to the ruins of Cerâmica São João, a former ceramics factory founded by his father, he renovated the site and established his studio, which is now known as Oficina Brennand.

The subsequent decade witnessed a prolific phase in Brennand's career, marked by the creation of numerous ceramic sculptures that adorned the halls of Oficina Brennand. He also created murals and panels for various public and corporate buildings, including a mural for the Companhia Hidroelétrica do São Francisco (1979).

In 1985, he took part in the 18th Bienal de São Paulo. Four years later, he participated in the 2nd International Biennial of Óbidos, Portugal. The subsequent year, he represented Brazil at the 44th Venice Biennale. Then, in 1993, the Staatliche Kunsthalle in Berlin hosted a significant retrospective of his artistic endeavors.

The artist died in 2019.