Milton Dacosta

Milton Rodrigues da Costa (Niterói, RJ, 1915 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 1988) was a renowned Brazilian painter, draughtsman, printmaker, and illustrator. His artistic journey began in 1929 when he started studying drawing and painting with the German teacher August Hantv. In 1930, he enrolled in the free course by Marques Júnior at the National School of Fine Arts (Enba), which was closed by the Revolution of 1930. In 1931, along with Edson Motta, Bustamante Sá, Ado Malagoli, and others, he founded the Núcleo Bernardelli.

Early Exhibitions and Recognition:
Milton Dacosta held his first solo exhibition in 1936 in Rio de Janeiro, where he received an honorable mention at the National Salon of Fine Arts. In 1945, he won the travel abroad prize at the National Salon of Fine Arts and went to the United States to study at the Art's Students League of New York. In 1946, he traveled to Lisbon, where he met important artists such as Almada Negreiros and Antonio Pedro. After visiting various European countries, he settled in Paris and studied at the Académie de La Grande Chaumière, where he met Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Georges Rouault.

Return to Brazil and Artistic Evolution:
Returning to Brazil in 1947, Milton Dacosta married painter Maria Leontina in 1949 and moved to São Paulo. During the 1950s, he developed a constructivist style. In the following decade, he shifted to a figurative approach with the series of colored metal engravings on the theme of Venus.

Style and Legacy:
Milton Dacosta's work is marked by the transition between constructivism and figurativism. His technical skill and creativity earned him recognition both in Brazil and abroad. Dacosta left a significant legacy in Brazilian art, influencing generations of artists with his versatility and dedication to art.

Sources:
Photo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyDFFRD7cA4
Text: Blombô research and curation, with the support of artificial intelligence for content writing and structuring.