Cesário Verde

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Oeiras > Oeiras

Location

The monument dedicated to Cesário Verde is located in the Parque dos Poetas, a large and inviting green space in Oeiras. The choice of this location underscores the poet's deep connection to the municipality, especially to the area of Linda-a-Pastora, where his family owned a farm. It was in this rural setting, in contrast to his Lisbon life, that the poet found part of his inspiration and which the municipality of Oeiras aims to perpetuate his memory.

A Visionary Poet

José Joaquim Cesário Verde (1855-1886) left an indelible mark on Portuguese poetry, despite his short life. His work was notable for breaking with the conventions of the time, addressing everyday life with sharp realism and innovative sensitivity. Initially, his unique vision was not understood by his contemporaries, but his genius would only be fully recognized later, with Fernando Pessoa considering him a precursor to poetic modernity. His verses often explore the dichotomy between city and country, depicting the urban pulse with its typical figures and the serene, albeit laborious, rural environment.

The Sculpture: A Mirror of His Work

The tribute to the poet is materialized in an imposing sculpture that evokes the central themes of his lyricism. The sculptural group, authored by João Duarte, consists of two female figures, two walls, and a black bird, all interconnected by a symbolism that refers to the complexity of his writing. On the ground, a large circle divided into two pavements (one in white limestone, representing the city, and another with the color of the earth, alluding to the countryside) demarcates the tension between these two worlds so present in his poetry. The walls, of different heights and contrasting materials (white masonry for the urban, rough stone for the rural), reinforce this duality. A black stone bird rests on the wall representing the city, which, in addition to an inscription, symbolizes the melancholic destiny and premature death of the poet. A black stone path crosses the ensemble, tracing the sometimes difficult journey of Cesário Verde's life. One of the female figures, in black marble, embodies Poetry itself, pointing towards this path, while the other, with blindfolded eyes, represents the introspective vision and intuitive genius of the artist.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt