Artwork
A hora do prazer
A hora do prazer is an oil painting by the Luminist artist Virgílio Maurício. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the Pinacoteca de São Paulo.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1914, this oil work by Virgílio Maurício is part of the collection of the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo. The canvas presents an interior scene populated by five nude female figures arranged in various poses, set against a red‑toned floor and a dark, patterned wall.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a moment of quiet intimacy: some figures recline while others sit, each turning her gaze elsewhere, suggesting a lack of mutual awareness. The disparate directions of sight and the private postures invite contemplation of individual presence within a shared space.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs careful modeling of flesh and a subtle handling of light and shadow, echoing chiaroscuro principles. The contrast between the luminous skin tones and the deep, patterned backdrop enhances the three‑dimensionality of the bodies and the surrounding environment.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in the early twentieth century, the work has remained in Brazil, eventually entering the holdings of São Paulo’s state museum. Its presence in the Pinacoteca reflects the institution’s commitment to preserving national artistic production from this period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Virgílio Maurício painted quiet interiors and dreamy landscapes in oil around 1910–1914, where lamplight on lace and calm river banks feel like still photographs.
