José Francisco Borges

[3] Borges was born in Bezerros, in the state of Pernambuco, and only attended one year of school, leaving at age 12.

The large prints, eventually produced in color as well as the traditional black and white, are sold in galleries throughout the world.

In addition to traditional scenes of life in the northeast, and folktale illustrations, he responded to the market in producing series including zodiac signs, and fruits of Brazil.

"[7] Borges was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit by Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

[8] In 2018, the samba school from the neighborhood of Rocinha devoted their Carnival performance in Rio de Janeiro to a tribute to Borges, cordel literature, and the northeast.