Almir Mavignier

A Pioneer of Concrete and Abstract Art

Almir da Silva Mavignier, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1925 and passed away in Hamburg, Germany, in 2018, was an internationally renowned visual and graphic artist. Mavignier began his artistic education in 1946 at the Brazilian Association of Drawing and has since expanded his artistic practice to include painting, engraving, and graphic design. He collaborated closely with physician Nise da Silveira, introducing the use of art as occupational therapy at the Psychiatric Hospital of Engenho de Dentro.

With a trajectory that spans from figurativism to geometric abstraction, Mavignier was one of the forerunners of concrete art in Brazil, being part of the first abstract art group in Rio de Janeiro alongside artists such as Ivan Serpa and Abraham Palatnik. His experience in Paris, with a scholarship from the French government, was crucial to his development, allowing him to study at the Académie de La Grande Chaumière and work with painter Jean Dewasne.

In 1954, Mavignier furthered his education at the prestigious Hochschule für Gestaltung in Ulm, Germany, where he was a student of Josef Albers. His work is characterized by the systematic use of geometric forms and a profound study of color, influenced by constructivist aesthetics.

Mavignier played a significant role in the art graphic movement, especially noted for his contributions to poster design. His works are part of major collections in museums such as the Museum of Modern Art of Bahia, the National Museum of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro, and the Municipal Pinacoteca of São Paulo.

Recognized for his innovation and contribution to modern art, Mavignier received numerous awards throughout his career, solidifying his position as a central figure in both Brazilian and international art history.

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Photo: https://www.wikiart.org/pt/almir-mavignier