Santa Ceia (2007) Painting by Simone Ribeiro

“Tondo Ataíde” – The Last Supper
Homage to Mestre Ataíde
acrylic on MDF – 180cm diameter
Manuel da Costa Ataíde (Mariana, MG, 1762 - 1830)
Painter, gilder, carver, “flesh-colorer”, teacher; a true self-taught man. His professional life had begun in the militias of Minas Gerais Captainship, as a squadron leader, reaching the position of second lieutenant in 1799. The first records on his painting activities, in Nossa Senhora do Carmo de Mariana Church, are undated. We don't know when the master started to dedicate himself to painting neither who would have been his master. In 1818, he wrote to King D. João VI, asking for permission to settle a school to teach arts in Mariana, MG. The request was not accepted.
Ataíde's art and technique influenced many pupils and followers, who kept on using his composition method till the middle of the 19th century, especially in perspective works on church ceilings. A contemporary and partner of Antônio Francisco Lisboa, known as Aleijadinho, between 1781 and 1818, he used to flesh-color and gild over the images of Christ's Passion scenes in the chapels of Congonhas monumental set.
His works were performed in Ouro Preto, Itaverava, Santa Bárbara, Congonhas and Conceição do Mato Dentro. The scene painted in oil on canvas, portraying the Caraça School Sanctuary, performed over easel in 1828, two years before dying, inspired this interpretation in the TONDO (circular) format, by discarding the side figures and keeping Christ as the center of the work.


The option for acrylic mass

Simone started to “sculpturate” her canvases, thus bringing life by means of the mass, for later understanding such “live canvas” – as if it were a book in Braille.
The motivation for using acrylic mass may lie in the artist's innermost, flowing unconsciously due to the deep and constant contact with the special limitations of her daughter Thamires, who carries a complete visual insufficiency.

“Art is a valuable allied to help disclose and perceive the world in a sublime and real manner.
With its aid, we can stimulate all the human being's senses. Feeling is a vital form of communication with the outer environment; if it weren't for perception, we would turn into simple objects.
Perceiving is getting to know, through the senses, the objects and situations. We are all capable of seeing a work, not only with our eyes, but also using senses like touch and smell.
The use of texture in Simone's work makes possible the interaction with the external world and brings reality and life to those whose contact with reality exists only in their imagination.”

Mônica Annarumma Rocha (psychologist)