For a long time, the signature Eques Faria, as he signed his works, concealed the identity of this enigmatic draughtsman, who for centuries was known simply as Cavaleiro Faria. Thanks to a recently discovered letter he sent to Frei Manuel do Cenáculo, then Bishop of Beja, accompanying the gift of six of his drawings, it was possible to determine that the artist was in fact Inocêncio de Faria e Aguiar (Lisbon, 1709-1792). This allowed us to piece together his personal journey and the social context in which he was active. With a professional career as an employee of the Council of the Treasury, where he was document officer and senior official, he was an amateur artist who drew in his free time. In his graphic works he used only a feather quill and brown ink, the same materials he used for writing. This first monographic exhibition devoted to his work brings together drawings made in the 1760s and 1770s, up to 1783, which is the last date found. It introduces us to a singular artist, both in terms of his graphic expression and the themes he approached. From previously unseen military themes to landscapes featuring great Classical ruins, views of cottages, rural inns, pilgrimages and countryside festivals, they offer a glimpse of life at the time when he was active and of which he left an original and fascinating testimony.

CURATORS
Alexandra Markl
Celina Bastos

OPENING
April 19th, 18h