Artist Profile | Painting

Agostinho José da Mota

Agostinho José da Mota (1824–1878) was a prominent Brazilian painter, lithographer, and teacher, born and based in Rio de Janeiro. His artistic talent emerged early, leading to his enrollment at the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in 1837. He became a distinguished student and earned a prestigious travel scholarship to Europe in 1850. From 1851 to 1855, he lived and studied in Rome under the tutelage of the French landscape painter Jean-Achille Benouville. Upon returning to Brazil, he taught drawing and landscape painting at the Academy and became a key influence on generations of artists. He earned numerous honors, including a gold medal in 1852, and was decorated with the Order of the Rose and the Order of Christ in later years. He also mentored notable students such as Modesto Brocos and Henrique Bernardelli. Agostinho excelled in still life—particularly depictions of Brazilian flora—and was a pioneer of plein air painting in Brazil. Late in life, he faced financial hardship and took on advertising painting to make ends meet. He passed away in 1878 in his hometown, leaving a legacy of technical excellence and artistic innovation.