Equestrian statue of Dom Pedro I
The equestrian statue of Dom Pedro I is located in Tiradentes Square in the center of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is recognized as both a national historical heritage site by IPHAN, since 4 March 1999, and a Rio de Janeiro state cultural heritage site by INEPAC, since 26 September 1978. The monument was first proposed by the Senate in 1824, but the project was abandoned after Pedro I abdicated in 1831. It was later decided in 1854 to erect the statue for the thirtieth anniversary of Brazil’s Independence. A competition held in 1855 selected the winning design, and the bronze sculptures were cast in Paris. The monument was placed in Constitution Square, now Tiradentes Square, where Pedro I swore the 1824 Constitution.
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1861 © Pierre-Ambroise Richebourg · Public domain
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Identification | |
| Title | Equestrian statue of Dom Pedro I |
| Type | equestrian statue; monument |
| Subject | Dom Pedro I of Brazil |
Historical context | |
| Initial proposal | A monument in honor of Emperor Pedro I was proposed by the Senate in 1824, but the project was abandoned in 1831 after his abdication |
| Renewed decision | In 1854, on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Brazil's Independence, the monument was revived |
| Purpose | To honor the proclamation of Brazil's independence |
Creator | |
| Initiated by | Emperor Pedro II of Brazil |
| Project by | João Maximiano Mafra |
| Executed and cast by | Louis Rochet |
Discovery and provenance | |
| Casting location | Paris |
| Winning project author | An unnamed artist who was then director of the Academy |
| Design contest | Held in 1855 by the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts |
| Chosen location | Constituição Square, now Tiradentes Square, Rio de Janeiro |
Physical characteristics | |
| Base height | 3.30 meters |
| Pedestal height | 6.40 meters |
| Statue height | 6.00 meters |
Materials | |
| Base material | Carioca granite |
| Pedestal material | Bronze |
| Statue material | Bronze |
Appearance | |
| Depicted figure | Dom Pedro I seated on a horse |
| Gesture | Waving the 1824 Constitutional Charter in his right hand |
Iconography and meaning | |
| Inscription location | On the main side below the statue |
| Allegorical figures | The four great rivers of Brazil: Amazon, Madeira, São Francisco, and Paraná; indigenous peoples; tapirs, armadillos, anteaters, capybaras; golden wyverns and other decorative motifs |
| Inscription | "to D. Pedro I, gratitude of the Brazilian people" |
| Historical references | The Brazilian provinces of the time |
Location and ownership | |
| Current location | Tiradentes Square, city center of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
History and restoration | |
| Inauguration event | A large public concert |
| Music performed at inauguration | The Brazilian Independence Anthem, authored by Dom Pedro I |
| Musicians at inauguration | 600 musicians |
| Conductor at inauguration | Francisco Manuel da Silva |
| Reason for postponement | Heavy rains |
| Reason for planned inauguration date | The day Emperor Pedro I issued the 1824 Brazilian Constitution |
| Actual inauguration date | 30 March 1862 |
| Planned inauguration date | 25 March 1862 |
Significance | |
| Heritage status | National historical heritage; Rio de Janeiro state cultural heritage |
| Listed by | National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) |
| Date listed as national historical heritage | 4 March 1999 |
| Registered by | Instituto Estadual do Patrimônio Cultural (INEPAC) |
| Date registered as state cultural heritage | 26 September 1978 |
Other | |
| Photograph by | Marc Ferrez |
| Photograph date | unknown |
| Depicted in image | Allegories, with the Amazon River on the right; São Francisco River; the statue in the 1861 Salon in Paris |