Eugênio Proença Sigaud

Eugênio de Proença Sigaud (Santo Antônio de Carangola, RJ, 1899 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 1979) was a Brazilian painter, engraver, graphic artist, illustrator, scenographer, critic, professor, architect, and poet. He graduated in agronomic engineering in 1920 at the School of Agronomy in Belo Horizonte, and in 1921, attended the free course at the National School of Fine Arts (Enba), under the guidance of Modesto Brocos. In 1927, he entered the architecture course at Enba, graduating in 1932. Sigaud played a central role in the 38th National Salon of Fine Arts in 1931, organized by urban planner Lúcio Costa, known as the Revolutionary Salon. Along with Quirino Campofiorito, Milton Dacosta, Joaquim Tenreiro, and José Pancetti, he founded the Bernardelli Group, a movement opposing conservatism at Enba. In 1935, Sigaud joined the Portinari Group, becoming a prominent advocate for mural painting. He published the influential article "Why Is Mural Painting Forgotten Among Us?" in the Journal of Fine Arts. He was one of the Brazilian artists at the 1st São Paulo International Biennial and designed and decorated the Metropolitan Cathedral of Jacarezinho, Paraná, between 1954 and 1957.