Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro
- Known for:
- Art, ceramics, design
- Fun fact(s):
- Bordalo Pinheiro created Zé Povinho, one of Portugal’s most iconic satirical characters.
About
Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro is one of Portugal's most iconic artists. Born in Lisbon in 1846 into an artistic family, he first became famous as a cartoonist, creating caricatures that poked fun at politics and daily life.
In 1875, he created Zé Povinho, a cartoon character representing an ordinary Portuguese person, an average Joe. The character became a symbol of the Portuguese people and even an unofficial personification of the country.
A few years later, Bordalo Pinheiro turned his creativity to ceramics and opened a factory in Caldas da Rainha. Instead of making traditional pottery, he transformed cabbages, sardines, frogs and other everyday Portuguese symbols into bold, colourful works of art. The result was something completely different, and instantly recognizable.
More than 140 years later, the Bordallo Pinheiro brand is widely recognized worldwide and is still making ceramics in the same factory. It also continues to evolve through collaborations with famous artists and creatives, including Paula Rego, Claudia Schiffer, and Vhils, bringing a fresh twist to the classic designs.
And the best part is that you can actually visit the original factory and flagship store in Caldas da Rainha, where they also have an outlet with discounted pieces. In Lisbon, the Bordalo Pinheiro Museum is a beautiful place to visit, get inspired, learn the story of the artist and see his most famous works.