From the waste land to the storm: José Paulo Moreira da Fonseca and the poetic reception of Eliot in Brazilian poetry of the 50s

ABSTRACT

The first reception of T. S. Eliot, whether as critic or poet, in Brazil dates from Generation of’45. This article examines one representative moment of the intertextual dialogue with The waste land (1922): it is the poem “A tempestade” (“The storm”) of the poet-painter José Paulo Moreira da Fonseca (1922-2004). Because of his double talent, Fonseca also extends the dialogue in his poem to the painting (through ekphrasis), especially with Giorgione and Velazquez.

KEYWORDS:
José Paulo Moreira da Fonseca; T. S. Eliot; The waste land; Giorgione; Velazquez.