Oscar Niemeyer: a hegemonic narrative through croquis

Abstract

Modern Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer (1907–2012) took an active role in creating the narrative of his life´s work. His nearly century-long career left a body of commentary which he intertwined croquis, or freehand drawings, of his design process in support of his views and to exclude that of others. In specialty magazines, daily newspapers, books, and a range of print media, Niemeyer argued for a modern Brazilian architecture that highlighted its freedom of form and creation of continuous spaces between interior and exterior, both of which were quintessential traits of Niemeyer’s own work. This article shows how Niemeyer employed croquis to create a hegemonic narrative that guided the history of twentieth century Brazilian architecture and formed a hegemonic narrative at the centre of which he placed himself. From the book, The Work of Oscar Niemeyer (1950), to the article, ‘Considerações sobre Arquitetura Brasileira’ (1976), one can see how he adroitly promoted his own work and his personal narrative that profoundly affected how historians regard Brazil within the broader history of modern architectural to this day.