“My artistic-visual-signographic language is linked to the deep mythical values of an afro-brazilian . . . culture,” said Valentim, describing how his works’ geometric symbols express his heritage and beliefs. This painting’s linear motifs resemble icons used in the Afro-Brazilian religion of Candomblé to represent different deities. For example, the trident at upper left is similar to the sign associated with a trickster spirit named Eshu.
2025
Provenance
The artist.
? - 1997, Galeria César Aché, Rio de Janeiro.
1997 - 2016, Colección Patricia Phelps de Cisneros, New York, and Caracas, purchased through Galeria César Aché.
2016, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, acquired as promised gift from Patricia Phelps de Cisneros.
Explore more
Rubem Valentim
Brazilian, 1922–1991 2 works onlineIn his 1976 Manifesto ainda que tardio (A Manifesto, Albeit Late) , the artist Rubem Valentim declared, “The Afro-Amerindian-Northeastern-Brazilian iconology is alive.
Learn more →
Sign Posts
Gallery 407This phrase suggests the role of some artists as a guide or a beacon, pointing the way. It also refers to the visual languages of their work, in which symbols can efficiently distill complex ideas.
Learn more →
From MoMA Design Store
Licensing
Artwork or archival images
If you would like to reproduce an image of a work of art in MoMA's collection, or an image of a MoMA publication or archival material (including installation views, checklists, and press releases), please contact Art Resource (publication in North America) or Scala Archives (publication in all other geographic locations).
Audio and film clips
MoMA licenses archival audio and select out of copyright film clips from our film collection. At this time, MoMA produced video cannot be licensed by MoMA/Scala. All requests to license archival audio or out of copyright film clips should be addressed to Scala Archives at [email protected]. Motion picture film stills cannot be licensed by MoMA/Scala. For access to motion picture film stills for research purposes, please contact the Film Study Center at [email protected]. For more information about film loans and our Circulating Film and Video Library, please visit Circulating Film and Video Library.
Text from a publication or the archives
If you would like to reproduce text from a MoMA publication, please email [email protected]. If you would like to publish text from MoMA's archival materials, please fill out this permission form and send to [email protected].
Feedback
This record is a work in progress. If you have additional information or spotted an error, please fill out this feedback form.