The ‘Treatise on the eyes’ exhibition takes the form of a (self)portrait of the artist as a seer: a presentation of his personal way of seeing.

But how can this gaze be conveyed?  To reveal the painter’s perspective, we take a detour from his well-known artistic practice, and, in the centre of the exhibition, present a fundamental part of Júlio Pomar’s work which remains little known to many: the texts about art which he published from the 1940s. ‘The written part’’ is a profound, ongoing reflection on the artist’s craft and work in the atelier, a critical analysis of the work of other artists and of his own work, and a demanding quest for greater understanding, through words, of the relationship between art and life.

On the basis of the central content of the texts, the way in which the painter’s gaze or personal perspective was formed is questioned, and we considered his influences: conversations with others (a self-portrait at the café), reading (a part of the library), taking an interest in the world he lived in, and consideration of works by other painters – Uccelo, Chardin, Delacroix, Ingres, Courbet, Goya, Malevich, Bacon…

Therefore, the exhibition presents canvases by Pomar in which the direct influence of other painters was decisive; small exercise books with notes and drawings from trips and visits to museums; books which the artist read or illustrated; words and interviews which he gave over the years.

In this way, ‘Treatise on the eyes’ ask the question what is seeing proposing an intimate relationship between gaze, hand and word in the written and artistic work of Júlio Pomar.

[Paulo Pires do Vale]

The ‘Treatise on the eyes’ exhibition includes:

> The publication of three volumes of texts by Júlio Pomar – edited by the Atelier-Museu in collaboration with Documenta.

> A film directed by Catarina Mourão, created and developed with the curator, based on texts by Júlio Pomar.

> Exhibition designed by architects Joana Vilhena and Ricardo Carvalho (RCJV Arquitectos).

> The exhibition catalogue, containing texts by the curator, Paulo Pires do Vale, and by Catarina Rosendo; with photographs of the exhibition and the works displayed, and including the film made for the occasion.

In the framework of the exhibition:

> The film ‘Une visite au Louvre’ (2003) by Jean-Marie Straub and Danièle Huillet (based on texts by Cézanne) will be screened.

> A seminar on ‘Writings of artists’ will be held, with the participation of Júlio Pomar, Rui Chafes, Catarina Rosendo, Sara Antónia Matos and Paulo Pires do Vale.

> Guided tours led by the curator.

> Writing workshops, organised by the Education Service at the Atelier-Museu.