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Monumento ao Conde de Porto Alegre

Monumento ao Conde de Porto Alegre is a public monument in Porto Alegre, Brazil, dedicated to Manuel Marques de Sousa, Count of Porto Alegre. It was first erected in 1885 in Praça da Matriz, in front of the government palace, and moved to its current site in Praça Conde de Porto Alegre in 1912. The present work shows the count in full military dress, holding his hat in his right hand and his gloves in his left, standing beside a small plinth on a tall granite pedestal with a marble plaque bearing his coat of arms and title. The statue was originally commissioned from Gustavo Saenger, but the final work was carried out by Adriano Pittanti’s workshop, with possible involvement by Carlo Fossati.

The Count of Porto Alegre monument, a light-colored military figure sculpture with epaulets and a sash, seen from below among trees and palm fronds.
The Count of Porto Alegre monument stands in a leafy plaza in Porto Alegre.
2008 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Conde de Porto Alegre monument, a weathered statue of a bearded man in military uniform on a carved stone pedestal.
The Conde de Porto Alegre monument stands on a carved stone pedestal in an urban setting with trees and nearby buildings.
August 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Count of Porto Alegre monument, a statue of a uniformed figure on a raised plinth behind an iron fence, with a domed building in the background.
The Count of Porto Alegre monument shown in its original setting near a domed building and trees.
1902 © Escultura de Aurélio Pittanti e Carlos Fossati. Fotografia de autor desconhecido · Public domain
Ornate coat of arms carved in stone on the Count of Porto Alegre monument.
Carved coat of arms on the base of the Count of Porto Alegre monument in Porto Alegre.
2008 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Weathered stone coat of arms relief with a crown, ornate scrolls, and the inscription TENENTE GENERAL.
Weathered heraldic relief on the Count of Porto Alegre monument, with a crowned shield and the inscription TENENTE GENERAL.
August 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleMonumento ao Conde de Porto Alegre
TypePublic monument
SubjectManuel Marques de Sousa III, Count of Porto Alegre
Nickname of honoreeCentaur of Gloves
Alternative titleMonumento al Conde de Porto Alegre

Historical context

Initial projectA grand monument with a 2.2-meter statue of the honoree, a 6-meter pedestal in the form of an ornate Corinthian column with a laurel wreath, the count's coat of arms and a national emblem, an inscription plaque, and two allegorical figures at the base representing Peace and War
Initial project fateAbandoned for unknown reasons
Initial estimated completion timeTwo years
Initial estimated costTen contos de réis
Initial project presentation date10 December 1878
CommissionCommissioned after a public competition
Honoree's role at TuiutiHero of the Battle of Tuiuti
Honoree's military associationsWar of Cisplatina, Ragamuffin War, War against Oribe and Rosas, Battle of Tuiuti during the Paraguayan War
Historical significanceFirst monument installed in Porto Alegre

Creator

Initial designerGustavo Saenger, marbler and sculptor from Cacimbinhas
Final workshopAdriano Pittanti's workshop
ArtistAdriano Pittanti
AssistantCarlos Fassatti
Alternative authorship claimAccording to Paschoal Fossati, the statue was made by Carlo Fossati, who was entrusted with the undertaking, made the model, and carried out much of the transfer to marble; Domenico Pittanti may have helped in the final stage
Authorship statusThe article's author considers the alternative claim credible but does not adopt it due to lack of other historical proof, though he leans toward accepting it

Discovery and provenance

Model originBased on a maquette conceived in Italy
Model preservationPreserved by the Câmara family

Location and ownership

Former square namePraça General Marques
Reason for relocationThe square was renamed from Praça General Marques to Praça Conde de Porto Alegre by intendente José Montaury
Renamed squarePraça Conde de Porto Alegre
Original locationPraça da Matriz, in front of the government palace, Porto Alegre
Relocated byIntendente José Montaury
Current locationPraça Conde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Current location since1912

Physical characteristics

FormLife-size statue of the count
Depicted attireFormal military dress
PoseHolding his hat in the right hand and his gloves in the left hand, leaning against a small plinth behind his left leg
PedestalTall stone pedestal

Materials

Plaque materialMarble
Pedestal fabrication locationRio de Janeiro
Pedestal materialGranite
Statue materialMarble

Appearance

Front plaqueMarble plaque with the count's coat of arms and title
Pedestal descriptionThe pedestal has a laurel wreath, the count's coat of arms, a national emblem, and an inscription plaque

Iconography and meaning

Possible interpretation of posePossibly alluding to his nickname, "Centauro de Luvas"
Dedicated toManuel Marques de Sousa III, Count of Porto Alegre

History and restoration

Inauguration date1 February 1885
Inauguration attendanceLarge public crowd, Princess Isabel, the president of the province, municipal councilors, the consular corps, and other high authorities
Critical receptionPraised for the perfect resemblance of the subject and the refined technique of the marble work
Year erected1885
Original installation date1885