Paper

Student Artwork Guide

That

Name Class Date

Milton Viola Fernandes, That, Instituto Moreira Salles. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Milton Viola Fernandes originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/milton-viola-fernandes/
Artist’s dates
1923 – 2012
Medium
Oil On Canvas
Movement
Surrealism Dream logic painted with waking precision: impossible things shown as if they were ordinary.
Period
Modern
Held at
Instituto Moreira Salles originaluniqueart.com/en/museums/instituto-moreira-salles-rio-de-janeiro/
Artistic style
Surrealist and Expressionist
Notable elements or techniques
Impasto-like texture, visible brushstrokes
Subject or theme
The True History of Paradise

In context

That — Milton Viola Fernandes

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1920
  2. 1930
  3. 1940
  4. 1950
  5. 1960
  6. 1970
  7. 1980
  8. 1990
  9. 2000
  10. 2010

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 89 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of Milton Viola Fernandes (1923–2012) every dated painting, decade by decade

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

  • Barter, 1979 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/milton-viola-fernandes-barter-D4K82M-en/
  • Stone coin, 1979 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/milton-viola-fernandes-stone-coin-D4K8L6-en/
  • Commodity money, 1979 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/milton-viola-fernandes-commodity-money-D4K8LH-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/milton-viola-fernandes-that-D72GGV-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Rosy Brown #aba196

    Catalogued palette

    • #ABA196
    • #EBE5C6
    • #342C30
    • #7E5554

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Rosy Brown
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Discordant Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Milton Viola Fernandes over the last twelve months — 1 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 100.0%100 visits

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 2 most looked-at works by Milton Viola Fernandes

    1. 1 Commodity money, 1979 100.0%100 visits
    2. — That this painting 0.0%0 visits

    Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 5 works by this artist, of which 1 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    About this artwork

    That — Milton Viola Fernandes

    A Visionary Descent into Paradise

    In the evocative and swirling depths of "That," we encounter a masterpiece of surrealist storytelling that transcends the boundaries of traditional illustration. The artwork, inspired by Milton Viola Fernandes’s profound narrative “A Verdadeira História do Paraíso” (The True History of Paradise), presents a dreamlike tableau that is as much a psychological landscape as it is a visual one. At its heart lies a poignant central figure—a man with a magnificent, bushy beard cradling a small child—an image that immediately evokes themes of protection, lineage, and the tender weight of responsibility. This intimate moment is set against a backdrop of organized chaos, where stylized flora and vibrant, organic shapes surge around the protagonists, creating a sense of a world both blooming and overwhelming.

    The composition is a masterclass in dynamic layering, eschewing strict linear perspective in favor of an emotional depth achieved through overlapping forms. The palette is dominated by rich, earthy browns and deep, brooding reds, which lend the piece a primal, grounded quality. However, these somber tones are punctuated by sudden, brilliant flashes of bright red and stark white, acting like rhythmic heartbeats within the visual narrative. This interplay of light and shadow creates an uneven, flickering luminosity that mimics the unpredictable nature of memory or a fever dream, drawing the viewer into a state of heightened sensory awareness.

    The Language of Expressionism and Symbolism

    Technically, the piece leans heavily into the traditions of Expressionism and Surrealism. The artist utilizes loose, gestural lines that imbue every element with a sense of kinetic energy; nothing in this paradise is static. The application of paint appears thick and impasto-like, suggesting a tactile, rugged surface where the physical struggle of the medium mirrors the complex narrative being told. This textured approach gives the artwork a sculptural presence, making the stylized plants and distorted figures feel as though they are emerging directly from the canvas itself.

    Beyond its visual splendor, "That" is steeped in symbolic complexity. The surrounding vegetation, while beautiful, possesses an exaggerated, almost predatory quality, perhaps representing the temptations or the untamed nature of paradise itself. The integration of text into the very fabric of the composition further blurs the line between literature and fine art, turning the canvas into a living book cover. For the collector or interior designer, this piece offers more than mere decoration; it provides a profound focal point that invites contemplation on the duality of existence—the coexistence of peace and chaos, of innocence and the overwhelming complexity of the natural world.

    For those seeking to elevate a curated space, a high-quality reproduction of this work brings with it an atmosphere of intellectual depth and artistic mystery. It is a piece designed for environments that value storytelling, where the art serves as a window into a beautifully distorted reality, sparking conversation and emotional resonance in any room it inhabits.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Milton Viola Fernandes

    Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    early life and career

    milton viola fernandes, known by his adopted name millôr, was a renowned brazilian writer, journalist, cartoonist, humorist, and playwright. born on august 16, 1923, in rio de janeiro, brazil, his birth certificate rendered the name 'millôr', which he later adopted as his official name.

    artistic contributions

    millôr fernandes began his journalistic career in 1938, publishing in several prominent brazilian magazines, such as o cruzeiro and a cigarra.

    he was celebrated for his ironic humor and authored thousands of satirical aphorisms.

    in 1956, millôr shared the first prize at the buenos aires international caricature exhibition with saul steinberg.

    in 1957, he had a one-man exhibition in rio de janeiro's museum of modern art.

    he co-founded the satirical newspaper o pasquim in 1969 alongside jaguar, ziraldo, and others.

    notable works and legacy

    successful plays: millôr wrote several successful plays, showcasing his versatility as a playwright.

    translations: he translated classics, including the works of shakespeare, further cementing his legacy in brazilian literature.

    exhibition at museu antonio parreiras: though not exclusively an artist featured at the museu antonio parreiris, his work is reflective of the satirical and humorous essence found in some of the museum's collections, such as those by antônio diogo da silva parreiras. /en/art/show/art-d3arwx-en/ antonio parreiras (niterói, brazil))

    international recognition: his participation in the buenos aires international caricature exhibition is a testament to his global recognition. [https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/milton-viola-fernandes](millôr fernandes | 5 artworks)

    later life and passing

    millôr fernandes passed away on march 27, 2012, in rio de janeiro, at the age of 88, due to complications after a stroke. key links: - [https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/milton-viola-fernandes](millôr fernandes | 5 artworks) - [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/millôr_fernandes](wikipedia: millôr fernandes)

    Museum

    Instituto Moreira Salles

    On show in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    A Sanctuary of Brazilian Creativity: The Soul of IMS Rio

    Nestled within the verdant embrace of Rio de Janeiro, the

    Instituto Moreira Salles

    (IMS) stands as a luminous testament to the enduring spirit of Brazilian culture. It is not merely a museum, but a living, breathing sanctuary where history and modernity converge in a seamless dance of light and shadow. Founded in 1992 by the visionary banker and diplomat Walter Moreira Salles, the institution was born from a profound impulse to preserve the multifaceted layers of Brazil’s identity. What began as a focused cultural endeavor has blossomed into a multi-faceted pillar of the arts, with its Rio de Janeiro branch serving as a breathtaking intersection of intellectual curiosity and natural splendor. For the art lover or the discerning collector, IMS offers more than just an exhibition; it offers a profound encounter with the very essence of the Brazilian soul.

    The architectural experience of IMS Rio is, in itself, a masterpiece of modernist elegance. Designed by Olavo Redig de Calas in the 1950s, the structure embodies the mid-century ideal of harmony between human innovation and the organic world. The building’s design utilizes expansive glass walls and open corridors to dissolve the boundaries between the interior galleries and the lush surroundings. This dialogue with nature is further elevated by the legendary landscape architecture of

    Roberto Burrende Marx

    . His meticulously crafted gardens, featuring native Brazilian flora arranged in rhythmic, geometric patterns, act as living sculptures that frame the museum’s modernist lines. For the interior designer or admirer of spatial aesthetics, the way the sunlight filters through the Tijuca Forest canopy to illuminate the museum's halls provides an unparalleled lesson in atmospheric composition and serene contemplation.

    A Kaleidoscope of Visual and Auditory Heritage

    At the heart of the IMS experience lies its extraordinary collection, a kaleidoscope of cultural expressions that spans photography, music, literature, and film. The photographic archive is perhaps the institution's most precious jewel, housing an astounding two million images that chronicle the visual evolution of Brazil from the 19th century to the contemporary era. Visitors can trace the nation's narrative through the pioneering lenses of masters like

    Augusto Malta

    and

    Marc Ferrez

    , moving through to modern works that tackle complex social and political landscapes. This visual journey is complemented by a deep commitment to the auditory and the written; the institute celebrates the rhythmic legacies of samba and bossa nova while fostering a vibrant literary community through curated discussions and book launches.

    It is this multidisciplinary approach—treating the image, the sound, and the word as equal threads in a single tapestry—that makes IMS a unique destination for those seeking to understand the true breadth of Brazilian heritage. While the Rio de Janeiro site currently undergoes an ambitious period of renovation to expand its storage and enhance the visitor experience, the spirit of the Instituto Moreira Salles remains vibrantly active. Through collaborative exhibitions and digital resources, the institution continues to bridge the gap between historical preservation and contemporary innovation. As the museum prepares to unveil its revitalized physical space in 2025, it stands poised to reaffirm its role as a beacon of creativity, ensuring that the legacy of Walter Moreira Salles continues to illuminate the path toward a future defined by cultural richness and artistic discovery.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for That

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/milton-viola-fernandes-that-D72GGV-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Fernandes, Milton Viola. That. n.d., Instituto Moreira Salles. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/milton-viola-fernandes-that-D72GGV-en/
    APA
    Fernandes, Milton Viola (n.d.). That [Painting]. Instituto Moreira Salles. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/milton-viola-fernandes-that-D72GGV-en/
    Chicago
    Milton Viola Fernandes. That. n.d. Instituto Moreira Salles. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/milton-viola-fernandes-that-D72GGV-en/
    Harvard
    Fernandes, Milton Viola (n.d.) That. Instituto Moreira Salles. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/milton-viola-fernandes-that-D72GGV-en/

    Look closely

    That — Milton Viola Fernandes

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 2 — do you agree?)
    4. Our catalogue files this work under: surrealism, paradise, symbolism. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    5. Look back at Barter (1979), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Art quiz

    That — Milton Viola Fernandes

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. What is the primary artistic style suggested by the composition and technique of this artwork?

      • A Realism and Impressionism
      • B Expressionism and Surrealism
      • C Renaissance and Neoclassicism
    2. 2. Which central figure is described in the artwork's composition?

      • A A woman wielding a spear
      • B A man with a large, bushy beard holding a child
      • C A man bartering fish with a woman
    3. 3. What is the dominant color palette used in this piece?

      • A Blues and greens
      • B Dark browns and reds
      • C Pastel pinks and yellows
    4. 4. The texture of the artwork is described as appearing like which technique?

      • A Smooth watercolor washes
      • B Fine, delicate pencil sketching
      • C Rough and impasto-like
    5. 5. Based on the description, what is the likely subject matter or inspiration for this work?

      • A A landscape of the Brazilian mountains
      • B The True History of Paradise (A Verdadeira História do Paraíso)
      • C A satirical depiction of a marketplace

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1A · 2A · 3A · 4B · 5A

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Questions & Answers

    Where and for what purpose is "That" recommended?

    "That" by Milton Viola Fernandes is recommended for conversation, ideally in a coffee shop. Use and space together guide where a reproduction fits.

    What historical period is "That" by Milton Viola Fernandes from?

    "That" belongs to the Modern era.

    What art movement does "That" by Milton Viola Fernandes belong to?

    The movement associated with "That" by Milton Viola Fernandes is Surrealism. This classification situates the work among related artists and artworks.