Visual art in South America is shaped largely by Spanish, Portuguese and French baroque painting. These were influences by Italian artists. Thus visual art of South America owes its origins to the European Artists. By early 20th century South America started developing its own style.
South America art can be traced back to the natives of South America-the Incas who were the first to introduce native South American art. The art of Incas formed the traditional art of South America. Revolutionary art followed and though many of the artists were killed during the massacres their art still continues to be admired.
Ancient art of South America consisted of paintings on rocks and other archaeological sites in the island of Santa Catarina. The most significant Brazilian artist of the colonial era, Antõnio Francisco Lisboa built the Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição church. This has a museum that includes art works by him, collections of sacral art etc. 19th and 20th century art of South America includes beautiful paintings and potraits by South American painters.
Modern art of South America especially in Brazil comprised new aesthetics and practices. Groups as well as individual artists were practitioners of modern art. The modernism seen in the artform of the new modernist group which emerged during the 1930s was sophisticated and mirrored social life. Though it resembled the traditionalists in the style but it did not aim to return to old art forms. Popular South American modern artists formed art associations like Bernadelli Nucleus, Santa Helena Group etc. Some of the modern artists were Cändido Portinari, Alberto da Veiga Guignard, Josë Pancetti etc.
Art in South America therefore portrays the rich historic and cultural traditions of the continent and modern developments of South American art culture and work.
For more information about South America culture, you can go through the following,
- South American Music
- South American People
- Colombia Culture
- Brazil Culture
- Peru Culture
- Guyana Culture
- Bolivia Culture
- Guatemala Culture
- Panama Culture
- Honduras Culture
