Joaquín Torres García (1874–1949) originally wrote “Lección 20, Bases y fundamentos del Arte Constructivo” in 1934 as a lecture, just as he did in the case of the other chapters in the book Universalismo Constructivo (Buenos Aires: Editorial Poseidón, 1944). The novelty of his doctrinaire messages—and his constant preaching on the subject of theory and practice in the hundreds of lectures he gave—sparked controversy and attracted followers in Uruguayan art circles [on that subject, see the following texts in the ICAA digital archive: by Gabriel Peluffo Linari “La Cultura Artística en la era terrista (1933–43)” (doc. no. 1237839); by José Cúneo “Universalismo Constructivo” (doc. no. 1238708); and by Joaquín Torres García “Introducción [en] Universalismo Constructivo” (doc. no. 1242032)]. This document includes certain philosophical ideas taken from Plato, as well as some of the idealism JTG had outlined in his earlier writings that also reveal a deep-rooted mysticism [see by Víctor Bacchetta “Mística de la pintura. Joaquín Torres García, AAC 1947” (doc. no. 1226607)].
The author explains that his search excludes any other action but that it is nonetheless democratic because “all who seek shall find.” On that chi cerca, trova principle, JTG believes that there is no specific “method” involved in “finding” the truth, and goes on to mention art schools that provide technical training. He also states that any kind of artistic “imitation” of the surrounding world—which appears to be in a constant state of dramatic change—is in vain, a pure “illusion” that is therefore an attack on naturalism. According to JTG, art is intrinsically linked to a cosmic and ethical order that has yet to be discovered.