Cavalcanti, Newton (1930–2006)

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Cavalcanti, Newton (1930–2006)

Newton Cavalcanti (b. 20 June 1930; d. 12 August 2006), Brazilian engraver and illustrator. Although born in Pernambuco and trained in Europe, Cavalcanti moved in 1952 to Rio de Janeiro, where he met the Brazilian metal engraver Raimudo Cela. In 1954 he studied wood engraving at the National School of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro under Oswaldo Goeldi. Along with fellow Pernambucan Gilvan Samico, Cavalcanti dedicated himself to xylography, the art of wood-block printing. Cavalcanti's woodcuts and wood engravings focused mainly upon themes from the legends, myths, and stories of Brazil's Northeast. Lyrical, grotesque, and fantastic animals and saints drift in and out of his nearly monochromatic green and black compositions. Examples of this style include The System of the Doctor and The Counselor. In 1960 he accepted a position teaching printmaking at the Educational Center in Niterói. Although best known for his graphic art, Cavalcanti has also produced illustrated books and has worked on film projects. In addition, he has been the subject of two film documentaries, Newton Cavalcanti-Um artista brasileiro (1973) and Newton Cavalcanti Quadro a Quadro (1983).

See alsoArt: The Twentieth Century .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dawn Ades, Art in Latin America (1989), p. 342.

Additional Bibliography

Centro Brasileiro de Cultura. 4 Grabadores del Brasil. Santiago: Ed. Universitaria, 1966.

                                 Caren A. Meghreblian