Zé Povinho is the cartoon character of a Portuguese everyman created by Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro. After an extended break (due to the creator travelling to

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) Zé Povinho returned to the printed page in the O ''António Maria'' newspaper, and appeared in two more newspapers before the last drawing by the original creator in November 1904. Zé Povinho became first a symbol of the Portuguese working-class people, and eventually into the unofficial

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. The character is often used to criticize politics and political figures.

History

It made its first appearance in the 5th edition of the ''A Lanterna Mágica'' newspaper, in 12 June 1875, in a

caricature A caricature is a rendered image showing the features of its subject in a simplified or exaggerated way through sketching, pencil strokes, or other artistic drawings (compare to: cartoon). Caricatures can be either insulting or complimentary, ...

called titled "Portugueze Calendar", alluding to taxes, where the Minister of Finance, Serpa Pimentel, appears withdrawing a three-cent alms from Zé Povinho for

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(represented by Fontes Pereira de Melo) with the "kid" ( D. Luís I) in his lap, having by his side the commander of the National Republican Guard, with a whip in his hand, there to prevent an eventual resistance. In the next editions of the newspaper, the Zé Povinho caricature continued to appear with the character with his mouth open and not intervening, resigned when faced with the corruption and injustice, kneeled by the tax load and unaware of the big issues of the country. He took a tridimensional form, becoming popular in the

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form made by the Faianças Factory in Caldas da Rainha, starting in the last quarter of the 19th Century. A prominent figure of the Bordalo Pinheiro caricature, it became an identifying figure of the Portuguese people, critiquing in a humoristic way the main social, political and economical problems of the country during its history, caricaturing the Portuguese people in their characteristic eternal revolt before the abandonment and forgetfulness of the political class, even though they do little to nothing to change the situation. The character was cited by E. F. Piloni in messages to J.M.D. Marçal Jr., when comparing him to a dramatic hotshot that, now it's worth something, then it loses its value. Affectionately coined by the author of the joke, leaving a certain look of confusion when saying that it he was a common, simple man; Zé. A popular expression that means simple people, an individual from the people. It's used to identify a socially disqualified person. Zé, is a popular way to express the people's man.

Characteristics

Bordalo Pinheiro himself defined the character: "''Zé Povinho looks to a side then to another and... he stays like always... the same''". Although, despite being relatively simple, he's a figure full of contradiction:

"''But if he is patient, gullible, submissive, humble, tame, apathetic, indifferent, abulic, skeptic, suspicious, disbeliever and lonely, he doesn't stop showing up, in a constant contradiction with himself, simultaneously capable of appearing in disbelief, revolted, grumpy, insolent, furious, sensitive, compassionate, skittish, active, supportive, outgoing...''".Medina, João. "O Zé Povinho, caricatura do «Homo Lusitanus»" in ''Estudos em Homenagem a Jorge Borges de Macedo''. Lisboa: INIC, 1992.

The character has as its main characteristic the middle finger gesture, representing his revolt and insolence facet.

Gallery

File:Lanterna Mágica - Zé Povinho.jpg, First apparition of ''Zé Povinho'' in ''A Lanterna Mágica'' magazine, 12 June 1875 File:Ze povinho lanterna magica 1875.jpg, ''Zé Povinho'' in ''A Lanterna Mágica'', 1875 File:O Zé Povinho - Depois das eleições, à vontade do seu dono, O Antonio Maria, 1880.jpg, ''Zé Povinho'' in the ''O António Maria'' magazine, 1880 File:Zé Povinho, Álbum das Glórias (cropped).png, Colour drawing of ''Zé Povinho'', 1882 File:Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro at Aeroporto metro station (8176850811).jpg, ''Zé Povinho'' and his creator caricatured in the Airport Station of the Lisbon Metro, 2012

References

*''Estudos em Homenagem a Jorge Borges de Macedo'', Lisbon, INIC, 1992

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ze Povinho National personifications National personifications in comic books Povinho, Ze Povinho, Ze National symbols of Portugal Comics set in Portugal Povinho, Ze Povinho, Ze Povinho, Ze 1875 establishments in Portugal Comics before 1900 Public domain comics