Sandra Cattaneo Adorno: Aguas de Ouro

Sandra Cattaneo Adorno’s hymn to Rio de Janeiro’s glowing light, printed in luminous gold ink

Printed in gold metallic four-color, Águas de Ouro celebrates the golden light of Rio de Janeiro through images that combine moments of street photography with abstract, lyrical compositions. It is the second book from photographer Sandra Cattaneo Adorno, who started photographing six years ago, at the age of 60.

After The Other Half of the Sky, which portrayed women in the streets of several countries, she dedicates this latest monograph to the beauty of Brazilian streets, beaches and people. The chiaroscuro of her photographs emphasizes the shapes of bodies and creates a dreamlike atmosphere through the strong contrasts between golden light and shadows. These beguiling images not only capture people and moments with visual maturity and acuity, but also evoke something quintessential about the city, something a little darker: the bittersweet yearning that Brazilians call saudade, which hints at other levels of reality.