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Nadir Afonso
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Portugal
• 1920
- 2013
Biography
Nadir Afonso (1920–2013) was a pioneering Portuguese artist best known for his work in geometric abstraction. Born in Chaves, Portugal, Afonso studied architecture at the School of Fine Arts in Porto and later worked with Le Corbusier in Paris and Oscar Niemeyer in Rio de Janeiro. These collaborations profoundly shaped his vision, merging architectural precision with artistic inquiry.
Early in his career, Afonso transitioned from architecture to painting, dedicating himself to developing a mathematical approach to art. He believed that beauty is objective and governed by geometric laws. This philosophy is outlined in his theoretical texts such as La Sensibilité Plastique, where he argues against the subjectivity of modern art, advocating instead for order, symmetry, and rhythm in visual creation.
His most iconic series include Cities, Baroque, Horizons, and Syntheses. Afonso exhibited widely, including at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Museum of Modern Art in Paris, and the São Paulo Biennial. His work is held in major collections and continues to influence contemporary abstract artists.
In 2013, the Nadir Afonso Arts Centre was inaugurated in his hometown of Chaves, designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira, as a tribute to his legacy. Afonso received numerous honors, including Portugal's National Arts Award, for his outstanding contribution to modern art.
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