Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro is one of the most influential people of nineteenth century Portuguese culture, with a remarkable production particularly regarding the areas of humoristic drawing, caricature and ceramic creation.
In 1884 Bordallo began his ceramics production at the Fábrica de Faianças in Caldas, revealing pieces of great technical, artistic and creative quality, developing azulejos (blue tiles), panels, pots, table centerpieces, vase busts, fountain basins, pitchers, plates, perfume bottles, vases and gigantic animals, etc.
He became famous as well for his popular images, such as Zé Povinho (an image representing poor and oppressed people represented in various ways), Maria da Paciência (Patient Mary), Ama das Caldas (Nanny from Caldas), the policeman, the priest taking snuff, the sacristan with the censer in hand, and many others.