Mário Cravo

Mário Cravo Júnior (13 April 1923 – 1 August 2018) was a Brazilian sculptor, designer, and painter. He was part of the first generation of plastic artists in the city of Salvador, along with artists such as Carybé and . He worked as a plastic artist in the 1970s, he created numerous individual and collective expositions, awards, and sculptures in open spaces throughout Brazil, mainly in Salvador, along with having his works in museums worldwide. His works drew from various materials and inspirations, including the Afro-Brazilian influences of his native Bahia. His most well known work is the "Fonte da Rampa do Mercado" in the Comércio neighborhood of Salvador. His son, Mário Cravo Neto, and grandson, Christian Cravo, are both renowned photographers.

Biography Cravo's parents were Mario da Silva Cravo, a prosperous farm owner and merchant, and Marina Jorge Cravo, a cousin of poet Castro Alves. They lived in Salvador when Mário, the first of four children, was born. The family came from Alagoinhas in an attempt to establish themselves in Salvador, but a little while after moved back to Alagoinhas due to Cravo's father being elected mayor of the city. He was active in politics despite also being mainly in agriculture and commerce, a tradition within the family. He also wrote the book "Memórias de um homem de boa fé" (1975). Due to Cravo Júnior's mother liking literature and poetry, she was responsible for his first contact with books.

During his time in school he returned to Salvador to study, attending Colégio Antônio Vieira. It was during this period that he built up his talent for design and his interest in astronomy. After a turbulent period between professions, Mário began to set out and start his artistic career. During his time in rural Bahia, he also became interested in sculpting. He later studied with Ivan Meštrović in sculpting at the College of Fine Arts at Syracuse University, later completing works in the Manhattan neighborhood of Greenwich Village with Jacques Lipchitz. In 1960, his name was etched into the Brazilian pavilion at the Venice Biennale. His works, along with the works of other famous people from Bahia, inspired Salvador-based rapper Baco Exu do Blues in his 2018 album Esú. He also constructed the Orfeu statue in front of the Caramuru Building, as well as Cruz Caída, which memorializes the Old Cathedral of Salvador, which was demolished in the 1930s.

On 1 August 2018, Cravo died in Salvador at 95 years old.

Fonte da Rampa do Mercado in the Comércio neighborhood of Salvador.