Public Diplomacy on the Front Line: The Exhibition of Modern Brazilian Paintings

The Exhibition of Modern Brazilian Paintings in the UK in 1944 and 1945 was the first collective display of Brazilian art in the UK and the largest ever sent abroad. This book explores why and how the Brazilian government devoted superlative efforts to this enterprise in the midst of World War II, arguing that it was a remarkable action of Public Diplomacy avant la lettre aimed at engaging with British society and enhancing the image of Brazil and its culture. The initiative was intended to achieve a substantial impact on views about Brazil, conveying a well-planned message.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 14 November 2023
Publisher: Anthem Press

The Exhibition of Modern Brazilian Paintings, held at the Royal Academy of Arts of London and seven other major venues throughout the United Kingdom in 1944 and 1945, was a groundbreaking collective display of Brazilian art showcased in the United Kingdom and the largest ever sent abroad until that time. This remarkable event emerged as a result of an initiative championed by the Brazilian Foreign Ministry and envisioned by 70 Modernist painters who generously donated 168 artworks as a contribution to the Allied War effort. Despite its historical significance and unparalleled scale, this event had remained largely unexplored academically. This book aims to bridge this gap and provide a deeper understanding of a largely overlooked aspect of a well-studied period of Brazilian foreign policy.

Through meticulous research, the study has unearthed a wealth of firsthand documents, employing the hermeneutic method and a theoretical framework from the fields of Public Diplomacy and Cultural Diplomacy to interpret the circumstances that made this extraordinary endeavor possible. It argues that the Exhibition was a pioneering example of Public Diplomacy avant la lettre, with the primary objective of engaging with British society and enhancing the image of Brazil and its culture. The motivations behind this initiative must be viewed within the broader context of Brazilian foreign policy, which centered on achieving prestige and re-positioning Brazil in the postwar international order. This policy involved deploying 25,000 troops to fight in Europe.

Furthermore, the research asserts that the initiative was meticulously planned and executed to achieve a significant impact on perceptions about Brazil. By conveying a well-crafted message, the Exhibition successfully communicated the unique qualities and achievements of Brazilian art to a broader audience, fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of Brazilian culture.

In conclusion, the Exhibition of Modern Brazilian Paintings held at the Royal Academy of Arts of London and across the United Kingdom in 1944 and 1945 was a historic event that marked a significant milestone in the promotion of Brazilian art and culture on a global scale. Through meticulous research and a comprehensive analysis, this book has shed light on the motivations, planning, and impact of this extraordinary initiative, providing valuable insights into a largely neglected aspect of Brazilian foreign policy.

Weight: 462g
Dimension: 160 x 237 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839989391