Materialisation and materiality in Almada's geometry

Abstract

From an early age, Almada Negreiros developed a fascination for geometry that became manifest in several ways: as a tool for understanding and making art, as a subject for creation and even as the basis for a theory about art. Pervading most of his later work, Geometry is also key to some of his large-scale mural works. With this chapter, we intend to show examples of how the author materialised geometrical concerns and propositions in three mural works: the façades at Cidade Universitária in Lisbon, the Edifício das Matemáticas in Coimbra, and the panel Começar at the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon. Based on recently discovered documentation in the author’s estate, with new data, we also aim to clarify some relevant material aspects of these works.