José Malhoa was born on 28 April 1855 in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal. Recognised as one of the main painters of the naturalist movement in Portugal, Malhoa stood out for his depictions of rural life and popular traditions. He studied at the Lisbon Academy of Fine Arts and had a career marked by a strong connection to his homeland and Portuguese culture.

Malhoa is famous for works such as “Fado” and “As Padeiras”, which capture the essence of Portuguese life and culture, using a rich palette and a technique that combines realism and naturalism. He was also an advocate of the use of light and colour, inspired by European artistic currents.

As well as being a painter, Malhoa worked as a teacher and contributed to artistic education in Portugal. He died on 26 October 1933 in Lisbon. Today, José Malhoa is celebrated as one of the masters of Portuguese art, whose works continue to be appreciated for their emotional depth and connection to the country’s cultural identity.