The Illustration for children in Portugal in the first two decades of the 20th century

Abstract

In Portugal, during the First Republic (1910-1926), politicians considered the education of the younger generation to be of major importance, since they would continue to support the revolutionary spirit. At that time, new writers, newspapers and children's book collections appeared and, although the majority of them were for educational purposes, a new style in the writing for children was established. It was necessary to replace the duty of obedience with civic feeling and with the idea of responsibility of each citizen in the progress of the country. Hence the introduction of new themes in children's books such as the History and / or Geography of the country, which includes the works of great authors of the time, such as Ana de Castro Osório, Virgínia de Castro e Almeida, Aquilino Ribeiro, António Sérgio, Fernanda de Castro and Jaime Cortesão. In the illustration, we highlight some of the most exquisite Portuguese artists of the time, such as the sisters Mamia Roque Gameiro and Raquel Roque Gameiro, Alonso, Leal da Câmara and Milly Possoz, Sarah Afonso, among others. The concern with literacy, the expansion of the school network, and the creation of libraries led, little by little, to an appreciation for reading.