Mário de Andrade

Mário Raul de Morais Andrade: A Brazilian Renaissance Man

Imagine a man who was not just a poet, novelist, and critic but also an art historian, musicologist, and even a photographer—all rolled into one. This is Mário Raul de Morais Andrade, the Brazilian polymath whose life and work continue to inspire and intrigue us.

The Birth of Modernism in Brazil

Andrade was born on October 9, 1893, in São Paulo. His birth marked not just a new life but also the dawn of modern Brazilian literature. One of his most significant works, Paulicéia Desvairada, published in 1922, is often considered one of the first modern collections of Brazilian poetry. This book was so influential that it changed the course of Brazilian literature forever.

The Hallucinated City and Modern Art Week

After a family crisis sparked by his purchase of a sculpture from Oswald de Andrade, Mário retreated into his room and emerged with Hallucinated City, or Paulicéia Desvairada. This book was vastly different from anything he had written before. The poems in this collection used impressionistic and fragmented descriptions of São Paulo dialect, with overheard dialogue interrupting the speaker. It’s a fascinating blend that challenges traditional poetry forms.

The Semana de Arte Moderna: A Turning Point

In 1922, Andrade organized the Semana de Arte Moderna, an event that introduced modernist art, music, and literature to Brazil. This was a pivotal moment in Brazilian cultural history, but it wasn’t without its skeptics. Despite initial resistance, this event transformed the landscape of Brazilian culture.

Traveling Through Brazil: The Apprentice Tourist

Mário’s travels through Brazil were more than just research trips; they became a form of self-discovery and documentation. He wrote a travelogue called ‘The Apprentice Tourist’ for the newspaper O Diario Nacional. This column served as an introduction to indigenous Brazil and as an advertisement for his own work, showcasing his deep interest in capturing the past through photographs.

Macunaíma: A Masterpiece of Modernism

One of Andrade’s most famous works is Macunaíma, published in 1928. This novel is a composite, mixing vivid descriptions of both jungle and city with abrupt turns toward fantasy. It reflects the meeting of languages as Macunaíma immerses himself in urban life. The novel is an ecstatic blend of dialects and rhythms, containing a new style of prose that is deeply musical and poetic.

Macunaíma: A Complex Hero

The character of Macunaíma is complex; he prefers women but his constant state of belonging and not belonging is associated with sex. He is sexually precocious, starting his romantic adventures at the age of six, and his particular form of eroticism seems always to lead to destruction. Despite its initial awkwardness, Macunaíma has come to be recognized as a modernist masterpiece whose difficulties are part of its aesthetic.

A Legacy of Research and Education

Andrade’s work extended beyond literature; he was also deeply involved in the study of music. He developed an extensive familiarity with the dialects and cultures of large parts of Brazil, writing two novels during this period: ‘Love, Intransitive Verb’ and ‘Macunaíma.’ His research turned from a personal bent to textbooks and chronologies under the Vargas regime.

Exile and Final Projects

In 1935, Andrade and Paulo Duarte created a unified São Paulo Department of Culture. He was named founding director, expanding his work in folklore and folk music while organizing performances and lectures. His final project was ‘Meditação Sôbre o Tietê,’ a dense poem about São Paulo’s Tietê River.

A Cultural Hero

Mário de Andrade died of a heart attack at 51, but his legacy lives on. His canonization as a cultural hero began after the publication of his Complete Poems in 1955. His work continues to influence and inspire new generations of Brazilian artists and writers.

Mario Raul de Morais Andrade was a true Renaissance man, whose multifaceted contributions to Brazilian culture continue to resonate. His life and work remind us of the power of creativity and the importance of exploring diverse cultural landscapes.