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Francis Bacon and Mário de Andrade Exhibitions at MASP Prompt Reflections on Queer Framing and Artistic Legacy

exhibition · 2026-04-19

At the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP), two exhibitions encourage contemplation on curatorial perspectives. 'Francis Bacon: a beleza da carne,' overseen by Laura Cosendey, represents the most extensive showcase of Bacon's art in São Paulo and will be on display until July 28, 2024, as part of the museum's LGBTQIA+ initiative. The exhibition labels highlight Bacon's queer identity, yet they raise concerns about their limited scope concerning his wider themes of post-World War II human suffering. This issue was similarly noted during the visit to 'Mário de Andrade. Duas vidas,' curated by Regina Teixeira de Barros. Rina Arya's essay in the catalog critiques the gap between the labels and the true essence of Bacon's works, advocating for a broader understanding of 'queer' in his art.

Key facts

  • The MASP is concurrently hosting 'Francis Bacon: a beleza da carne' and 'Mário de Andrade. Duas vidas.'
  • The Bacon exhibition is curated by Laura Cosendey and is part of MASP's 2024 program dedicated to LGBTQIA+ histories.
  • The exhibition features Bacon's most comprehensive set of paintings ever shown in São Paulo.
  • The show runs until July 28, 2024.
  • The author critiques the exhibition labels for a unilateral focus on Bacon's queer sensibility.
  • A text by Mário de Andrade on Candido Portinari from 1940 is referenced, drawing parallels in the appreciation of physical forms.
  • Rina Arya's catalog essay argues for a broader, existential definition of 'queer' in Bacon's work.
  • The author views Bacon's work as a response to post-war trauma and a deconstruction of European painting history.

Entities

Artists

  • Francis Bacon
  • Mário de Andrade
  • Candido Portinari
  • Diego Rivera
  • Jackson Pollock
  • Velásquez
  • Picasso
  • El Greco
  • Rina Arya
  • Laura Cosendey
  • Regina Teixeira de Barros
  • Giulio Carlo Argan
  • Melvyn Bragg

Institutions

  • Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP)
  • Paço das Artes
  • USP
  • ITV

Locations

  • São Paulo
  • Brazil
  • England
  • Mexico
  • United States
  • Europe

Sources