Romantico americano 1998

Beatriz Milhazes made Romantico Americano, with paint, and probably some stencils, brushes and maybe even sponges. Looking at it, I can imagine her adding layer upon layer of vibrant colors, like building a cake with different flavored fillings. The way Milhazes uses these colors and shapes, like the lacy frills and floral garlands, makes me think of a party. There’s a sense of rhythm and movement, almost like a samba. But it’s not just about decoration; there's a real investigation into how different patterns and textures interact with each other on the canvas. The piece is like a wild fusion of Matisse’s decorative sense and the bold geometries of Brazilian modernism. I see her work as a continuation of this conversation, taking cues from the past but also pushing things forward. For me, painting is about this kind of exchange, it is about responding to what's been done before, and making something new.