Claudio Tozzi's most famous painting is Taglio Bowl – Unique piece (2013), in the Fondazione Hospice Seràgnoli Onlus, Bologna. With Cubo dell (2016) and People on the Viaduct, it completes the three works everyone recognises. Our catalogue lists 4 works by Claudio Tozzi; the 4 below are the ones the world looks at most, each with its year, the museum that holds it and why it matters.
Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated October 2026.
A fine cut seems to divide in two this bowl of solid walnut with a pulverised bronze finish, at the same time allowing it to contain dry objects inside. The crevice reminds us of the gesture of a knife, halving a watermelon; the thickness is therefore kept to a minimum. Metaphorically, it is like our desire to be cut free from a world of constant fluidity; or better still, from…
People on the Viaduct is a painting by Claudio Tozzi. The artist, born in 1944 in São Paulo, Brazil, produced this work as a black and white representation of a specific urban scene. The composition focuses on a group of individuals gathered on a bridge during the night. The visual field contains 14 people positioned at varying distances from the viewer, with some figures located in the foreground and others…
An artist of longstanding political activism, Claudio Tozzi began his artworks on Ernesto “Che” Guevara immediately after he died on October 9, 1967. In this series, he uses famous photographs of the guerrilla leader printed in high contrast on panels and fabrics to achieve the most characteristic features. Such graphic methodology bears great similarity to the ones produced by pop artists—for instance, Andy Warhol’s Marilyn works—, who managed to synthesize…
The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Claudio Tozzi | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Fondazione Hospice Seràgnoli Onlus |
Bologna | 2 | Taglio Bowl – Unique piece, Cubo dell |
 MAM Rio |
Rio de Janeiro | 1 | People on the Viaduct |
50 years of work by Claudio Tozzi, from 1967 to 2016, year by year: the most famous paintings of each year, in order.
An artist of longstanding political activism, Claudio Tozzi began his artworks on Ernesto “Che” Guevara immediately after he died on October 9, 1967. In this series, he uses…
A fine cut seems to divide in two this bowl of solid walnut with a pulverised bronze finish, at the same time allowing it to contain dry objects…
Taglio Bowl – Unique piece (2013), Fondazione Hospice Seràgnoli Onlus, Bologna. Next come Cubo dell (2016) and People on the Viaduct.
69 years old: Taglio Bowl – Unique piece dates from 2013 and Claudio Tozzi was born in 1944.
Our catalogue lists 4 works by Claudio Tozzi, dated from 1967 to 2016.
Most of them are in Fondazione Hospice Seràgnoli Onlus (Bologna) and MAM Rio (Rio de Janeiro). The table above lists the museums one by one.
The earliest on this page is Dead Guevara (1967), the latest Cubo dell (2016).
Pop art, as the paintings on this page show.
Taglio Bowl – Unique piece and Cubo dell are among the 2 works on this page held by the Fondazione Hospice Seràgnoli Onlus, Bologna.
Claudio José Tozzi, born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1944, emerged as a pivotal figure in Brazilian art during a period of intense political and social upheaval. While initially enrolling at the University of São Paulo’s Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism in 1964, Tozzi quickly found his calling not in blueprints but in graphic expression. This shift wasn't accidental; it was born from a desire to engage directly with the burgeoning cultural landscape and, crucially, to circumvent the limited avenues available for young artists seeking visibility. He soon connected with Mário Schenberg, a luminary critic and physicist who recognized Tozzi’s work as belonging to the vibrant new figuration movement—a contemporary response to the concrete avant-gardes that were prevalent at the time.
The early 1960s in São Paulo presented a challenging environment for artistic expression. Traditional exhibition spaces were scarce, prompting Tozzi and his contemporaries – including Wesley Duke Lee, Antonio Dias, and Roberto Magalhães – to seek alternative platforms. He turned towards the readily accessible language of commercial culture, embracing the aesthetics of pop art as a means of communicating with a broader audience. This wasn’t merely stylistic imitation; it was a strategic appropriation of visual codes to address pressing political issues that dominated headlines—the space race, the Cuban Revolution, and the growing unrest within Brazil itself.
Tozzi's art became intrinsically linked with resistance. He fearlessly tackled socio-cultural norms and satirized the Brazilian information network, which was heavily censored under the military dictatorship. His work served as a visual counterpoint to official narratives, offering a critical perspective on power structures and societal injustices. Iconic representations of astronauts and Che Guevara emerged during this period, becoming potent symbols of aspiration and rebellion.
The mid-1960s witnessed Tozzi’s focus on the collective experience—crowds and political figures frequently populated his canvases. Multitude, created in 1968, exemplifies this recurring motif: a powerful depiction of people united in protest. This work is particularly resonant when considered within the context of Brazil's escalating repression that year, which forced many artists and intellectuals into exile. The painting’s enlarged details and juxtaposed raised fists powerfully convey the strength inherent in collective action. By employing pop art’s accessible visual language, Tozzi aimed to awaken a wider public consciousness to the mobilizing potential of artistic expression.
Following a formative study trip to Europe in 1969, Tozzi's artistic trajectory underwent a significant transformation. While his commitment to social commentary remained steadfast, he shifted his focus towards the formal elements of his work, moving away from the overtly pamphlet-like character of his earlier pieces. The 1970s saw an exploration of chromatic research, delving into the expressive possibilities of color and form.
The following decade brought a broadening of thematic concerns, with figures like parrots and coconut groves entering his repertoire alongside a growing tendency towards geometric abstraction. A particularly innovative technique emerged during this time: the use of a reticulated rubber roller in his paintings. This method added texture and volume to his work, creating a unique visual depth that distinguished his style. Beyond the canvas, Tozzi extended his artistic reach into public spaces, creating impactful panels for locations throughout São Paulo—such as Zebra in Praça da República and at Sé Metro Station—and Rio de Janeiro, including installations at Maracanã Metro Station.
Claudio Tozzi’s contributions to Brazilian art have been widely recognized both domestically and internationally. His work has been featured in significant exhibitions such as Brazil + 500 Rediscovery Show (2000) and Ship of Fools (2005) at the Museum of Contemporary Art of the University of São Paulo (MAC/USP). His participation in events like the Latin American Codex Prize in Buenos Aires (1968), the Bienal Internacional del Deporte in Barcelona (1971), and representation at the Venice Biennale further cemented his reputation on the global stage.
Tozzi’s enduring legacy lies in his ability to seamlessly blend artistic innovation with potent social critique. He demonstrated that art could be both aesthetically compelling and politically charged, capable of challenging established norms and inspiring collective action. His work continues to resonate today, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of artistic freedom and the transformative potential of visual expression.