Iluminogravuras 1985

An iluminogravura is an emblematic writing, the place where Ariano, the writer, was able to interact more profoundly with Ariano, the visual artist, always maintaining the principles of Armorial painting and etching, and the heritage of popular northeastern wood engraving: with an absence of perspective and depth, coarse and strong drawings; the use of pure colors; and also a resemblance to the coats of arms, flags and banners of our popular performances.

Comparing the two sets of iluminogravuras, one can perceive the differences and similarities between them. In the first album, Suassuna used, as a starting point, themes (mottos) of authors such as Fernando Pessoa, Augusto dos Anjos, Renato Carneiro de Campos, among others, and the text-illustration relationship is very direct.

In the second, the use of color is more intense, as well as the use of rupestrian motifs, in a symbology inspired by the Pedra do Ingá, an archeological site located in the state of Paraíba. Albano Cervonegro, the alleged author, is, in reality a pseudonym of Ariano Suassuna: “Albano” is a variation of albino, from the Latin albus (white, pale) and “Cervonegro”, the Tupi translation for Suassuna.

It is worthwhile noting that, greatly anticipating issues discussed by society today, Ariano defends the beauty and empowerment of black women in the iluminogravura: A Tigre Negra.