Three generations of artists from the Eloy family in Setúbal
In the middle — Fernando António Baptista Pereira and Matos Cardoso, curator and co-curator of the exhibition
To the right — Maria Orquídea Graça Gonçalves, second wife of Mário Eloy (son) and mother of Sérgio Eloy.
The exhibition A family of artists of the 20th century in Portugal: Mário Eloy (father), Mário Eloy (son), Sérgio Eloy – Painting and Photography opened to the public on May 8 at the Galeria Municipal do 11, in Setúbal.
The exhibition shows the work of three generations of artists from the same family: the paintings by Mário Eloy father (1900-1951) and Mário Eloy son (1929-1977), and the photography works by Sérgio Eloy (1959-2004), allowing an analysis of the influence of each of them in the work of the following generation. The work of Mário Eloy father, one of the most significant Portuguese modernist painters, is the best known of the three, and this exhibition aims to also showcase the lesser known works of his son, Mário Eloy, and his grandson, Sérgio Eloy.
The opening was attended by the curator of the exhibition, Fernando António Baptista Pereira, art historian, professor and President of the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon, who enthusiastically introduced the public to the life of the three Eloys, marked by the hereditary transmission of a serious neurological disease (Huntington’s Disease) that would eventually bring a tragic end to the three of them, while also highlighting the originality of their works in the Portuguese cultural panorama.
The co-curator of the exhibition, the artist José Matos Cardoso, was also present, having started with him the idea for this project, made possible only thanks to the City Council of Setúbal through the Library and Museum Division.
A family of artists of the 20th century in Portugal: Mário Eloy (father), Mário Eloy (son), Sérgio Eloy – Painting and Photography can be seen free of charge at the Galeria Municipal do 11, where it will remain on display until the 17th of July.