PUBLICITY TILE PANELS IN PORTUGAL: A SINGULARITY WITHIN IDENTITY

Abstract

In mid-19th century when tiles turn to the outside of the buildings, covering façades, a singularity in tile production came to light: their use as advertising or publicity support. From the third quarter of the 19th century on, very simple signs made of tiles start to inform about products, shops, workshops or services. Since then, until mid-20th century, this sort of production never stopped, being able to update itself to new artistic styles following graphic arts and publicity concepts evolution. Work of unknown artists as well as of consecrated painters and designers, it evolved from the simple lettering to the most exuberant colourful figurative representations. Despite its decline from mid-20th century, this sort of panels never completely disappeared and continued to be produced until nowadays. The present article aims to analyse the publicity panels, a singular tile production scattered all over the country, relating them to the Portuguese artistic identity.