José dos Santos Libório (1850-1923), a notable liaison between the Portuguese and Brazilian art markets

Abstract

José dos Santos Libório was one of the chief agents of the Portuguese art market during the last two decades of the nineteenth century, as he was responsible for the organization of some of the most iconic auctions of his time. In the second decade of the twentieth century he would relocate to Rio de Janeiro, where he eventually became known as a prominent antique dealer whose commercial exhibitions attracted the leading Brazilian collectors. The present paper constitutes the first approach specifically focused on this fascinating agent. Therefore, our main goal is to analyse Libório’s professional activity from the creation of Empreza Liquidadora in Lisbon during 1886, up to his successful incursion in the Brazilian art market from 1910 onwards. The research and analysis of periodicals from that time, as well of coeval publications, exhibition catalogues and archival material, proved to be fundamental to achieve the objectives outlined. In the end, we have concluded that we are facing an outstanding economic agent, whose drive, perspicacity and boldness enabled him to differentiate himself both in Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro, and, no less important, to became an extraordinary liaison between two art markets.