Rodrigues (Adolfo de Sousa)
Biography of the Funchal-born painter Adolfo de Sousa Rodrigues (1867–1908), trained in Lisbon and Paris and noted for history painting and portraits.
This distinguished painter, whom an early death and the persistent illness of his last years prevented from displaying the full strength of his talent, was born in Funchal on 13 January 1867 and died in the city of Lisbon on 9 March 1908.
He completed the course at the Academy of Fine Arts, where he always obtained high marks. He distinguished himself in history painting, in which he won first prize with the picture Hero e Leandro. He studied this speciality under José Ferreira Chaves and later went to Paris to perfect his skills under Paul Laurens and Benjamin Constant. In the 2nd year of the Academy course he had also won the ‘Anunciação’ prize. At the exhibition of the Grémio Artístico in Lisbon he won the third medal in 1895. He took part in various exhibitions, where his pictures shown included, among others, Tentação de Cristo and Bom Samaritano.
He painted the portrait of King Carlos I that hung in the meeting room of the Funchal Municipal Council (Câmara Municipal do Funchal), that of our illustrious fellow Madeiran Agostinho de Ornelas e Vasconcelos, etc. etc. He held the academic palms of the Académie de France and the commandery of Isabella the Catholic, of Spain.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 03Place
Places mentioned · 03
Abroad
- Funchal
Birthplace of the painter.
The capital of the archipelago and seat of the principal captaincy, where settlement began; it was made a vila c.1451–52. Its bay, the widest in the archipelago, lies between Ponta do Garajau and Ponta da Cruz and offers sheltered anchorage, though its harbour had never been studied oceanographically. The Elucidário discusses it as a health resort with climate data and records the January 1906 disturbances, the Danish prince's visit in May 1846 and recent volcanic cones in the area.
- Lisbon
Portugal. Where he studied, exhibited and died.
The Portuguese capital, seat of the Relação court and of the Misericórdia whose privileges and statutes were extended to Funchal. Henrique Franco de Sousa studied at its Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and Luiz José Baiardo moved there in 1821.
- Paris
France. Where he completed his training.
The French capital, where Franco de Sousa settled and painted 'Ar livre', and where Juvenal Honório de Ornelas took his medical doctorate in 1834. Padre Luiz Gonçalves da Câmara studied there and met Loyola, and the Barão de Ornelas graduated, practised and died there.
People
People mentioned · 06- Adolfo de Sousa Rodrigues1867–1908
Madeiran history and portrait painter who studied in Lisbon and Paris and died young in Lisbon.
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Distinguished Madeiran whose portrait Rodrigues painted.
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Paris painter with whom Rodrigues perfected his training.
- Carlos Id. 1922
King of Portugal whose portrait by Rodrigues hung in the Funchal council chamber.
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Painter under whom Rodrigues studied history painting.
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Paris painter with whom Rodrigues perfected his training.