Fernando Pessoa was a significant figure in Portuguese literature, exerting profound influence throughout the 20th century and still doing so today.
Many are fascinated by his uniqueness and literary genius in creating new personalities called heteronyms, which had their own style of writing, philosophies and even dates of birth and death.
In Chiado, Lisbon, there is a sculpture paying homage to him.
Created by Lagoa Henriques, it was inaugurated on June 13, 1988, marking the centenary of Fernando Pessoa’s birth, on June 13, 1888.
We see Fernando Pessoa sitting alone at an outside table of the café A Brasileira.
Naturally, the sculpture's location notes Pessoa's affinity to this café, of which he was a regular customer.
The story of how the statue’s posture came to be is very interesting and really in pair with the shroud of mystery surrounding the writer.
On the café’s website, it is alleged that Pessoa was going to have his left hand raised, but, Lagoa Henriques, when reading a book by Pessoa was struck by the poem ‘A mão posta sobre a mesa‘ (The hand placed on the table).
He interpreted this as a clear sign from Pessoa to have the sculpture rest the hand on the table:
‘A mão posta sobre a mesa,
A mão abstracta, esquecida,
Margem da minha vida...
A mão que pus sobre a mesa
Para mim mesmo é surpresa.
Porque a mão é o que temos
Ou define quem não somos.
Com ela aquilo fazemos’
‘The hand placed on the table,
The abstract, forgotten hand,
Margin of my life...
The hand I put on the table
Is a surprise to me.
Because the hand is what we have
Or defines who we are not.
With it, we do that’
Fernando Pessoa - Poesias Inéditas (1930-1935)
Although the narrative has not been proven to be factual, as there is no account of Lagoa Henriques saying or having written such an account, it is however a beautiful addition to the tribute by linking the sculpture with an original poem by Pessoa.
Also, the empty chair is often used by people to take photos with him.
The impression given is that Pessoa seems to be in profound introspection but welcoming, fostering a sense of intimacy and inviting the beholder into his world and legacy, as symbolized by the empty chair.
If passing through Lisbon, I highly recommend strolling by Chiado to admire the statue of this literary giant, possibly even taking a photo with him.
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