HOLBEIN SYNDROME
GALERIA FRANCISCO FINO01.2025 LISBON
It is not uncommon in Art History to find artistic decisions that immortalize the gesture of the creator, often transcending the original context of the work. In 1533, Hans Holbein (1497/8-1543) completed the famous painting The Ambassadors, a work that still intrigues its audience today. Holbein subverts the classical rules of painting by introducing, into a composition that exalts knowledge and science in a sober and academic universe, an unusual symbol that disturbs it. The vanitas, occupying a large area of the lower part of the canvas, evokes the ephemerality of life and the inevitability of death, and instigates a premonition—a reminder of the transience of reality, even for those who master earthly knowledge, as is the case with the portrayed subjects.  

Text and Curation by Francisca Portugal

“Treatise” (II, I, III) (from left to right) 
Iron and inox. 
Dimensions vary. 
2025

“Circe’s Hex” and “Dance of the Nine Opals” 
suspended drawings shown in photos
Graphite on gravure paper, mounted on a stainless steel frame.
50x70cm 
2025

CARING IS SHARING 2.0Arbag Lisboa26.05.2023

The premise of Caring is Sharing stems from the creation of a collective exercise based on the sharing and cross-pollination of artistic practices. 

“Courage, audacity, and rebellion will be key components of our adventure.”

A curatorial project by Francisco Trêpa.  

bloodbath
Oil and dry pastels on paper held by an inox structure. 21x29cm. 
2022

AIR SYSTEMS2024


Dry pastels on Fabriano paper, 300g.
100 x 70cm 

body unpacked
2023 - 2024
Graphite and linseed oil on etching paper, 250g. 
25 x 35cm

FATED TO SPIN (dazed and enlightened)2024


Dry pastels and graphite on Fabriano paper, 350g. 
70 x 100cm

SHAPESHIFTER2023


Oil and dry pastels on Fabriano paper, 300g. 
70 x 100cm

drawings, drawings & related affairs2023-2024


This section is dedicated to my drawer of drawings — a beloved piece of furniture that holds much of my practice.

1. nébula
Dry pastels and linseed oil on Arches paper, 350g. 
60 x 100cm
2024

2. hunter
Dry pastels on Fabriano paper, 350g. 
40 x 70cm

3. no title
Dry pastels on Fabriano paper, 250g. 
21 x 42cm


4. burning garden
Dry pastels on Fabriano paper, 250g. 
21 x 42cm


5. tree on a heel  
Dry pastels on Fabriano paper, 250g. 
21 x 42cm

6. snake
Dry pastels and linseed oil on Fabriano paper, 250 g. 
21 x 42cm 

BORDER2021 - 2022


Dry pastels on Fabriano paper, 300g. 
50 x 70cm

visions and pearls
2021
Graphite on paper, 100g. 
29,7 x 21cm 

Joana Coelhojoanagpcoelho@gmail.com