António Soares dos Reis

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António Soares dos Reis (Vila Nova de Gaia, 14 October 1847 - Vila Nova de Gaia, 16 February 1889) was a Portuguese sculptor, and the leading name in Portuguese sculpture.

[edit] Studies

He first studied at the Portuense Academy of Fine Arts, were he graduated in sculpture, in 1867. He studied at the Fine Arts Imperial School of Paris, from 1867 to 1870, were he achieved several prizes, and in Rome (1871-1872). It was there that he executed his finest work, in Carrara marble, the acclaimed "O Desterrado" ("The Exiled"), a touching image of neoclassical, romantic and realist resemblances, that is the masterpiece of Portuguese sculpture. After returning to Portugal, he returned to Porto, where he taught at the Portuense Academy of Fine Arts.

Misunderstood and little credited in life, he committed suicide, aged only 41. He is considered, by far, the leading name in Portuguese realist sculpture.

[edit] Fame

The finest collection of his pieces is shown in a room dedicated to him at the National Museum Soares dos Reis, in Porto, including "O Desterrado" and the touching and kind figuration of the "Count of Ferreira" (1876).