Carlos de Oliveira
Carlos de Oliveira was a notable Brazilian-born Portuguese writer and painter, born in 1921 in Belém do Pará, Brazil, and later moving to Portugal. An influential figure in the Neo-Realism literary and artistic movement, which thrived from the 1930s to the 1950s, he advocated for social intervention through his work. Oliveira graduated from the University of Coimbra with degrees in history and philosophy, establishing a strong intellectual foundation for his literary pursuits. His debut poetry collection, *Turismo*, was published in 1942, followed by significant novels such as *Casa na duna* in 1943 and *Uma abelha na chuva* in 1953, which are considered milestones of Neo-Realism. Despite his critical perspective on the potential for revolution, believing in the inherent weaknesses of humanity, Oliveira's writings challenged contemporary norms and ideas. He was known for his meticulous approach to writing, often revising his works multiple times in search of perfection. His literary contributions have been translated into several languages, reflecting their global resonance. Carlos de Oliveira passed away in 1981, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire discussions on literature and social themes.
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Carlos de Oliveira
- Born: August 10, 1921
- Birthplace: Belém do Pará, Brazil
- Died: July 1, 1981
- Place of death: Lisbon, Portugal
Biography
Carlos de Oliveira was born in Belém do Pará, Brazil, in 1921. Two years later, his family moved back to Portugal to a rural district near Coimbra. Oliveira attended high school in Coimbra and then the University of Coimbra. He graduated with degrees in history and philosophy. Oliveira was important in the Neo-Realism movement. This was an artistic and literary movement that was popular from the 1930’s to the 1950’s advocating social intervention.
In 1942, he published his first collection of poems, Turismo. Then he published a novel called the Casa na duna (1943) and another, Uma abelha na chuva, in 1953. His works are considered some of the greatest achievements of the Neo-Realism movement. This is due to the fact that his work challenged popular ideas of the time. However, Oliveira was often hesitant to support an actual revolution because he thought that humans were too weak and that nothing would come of such a revolution.
His work was never perfect. Oliveira would often republish revisions of his literary works under the same title in a constant effort to find the right words. His works were often translated into several other languages, including English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. In addition to writing, Oliveira was also a painter. He died in 1981.