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Aleijadinho and Brazilian Baroque
The affluence of gold and silver afforded Ouro Preto the foremost artisans of its era, and
truly the most celebrated among them is the genius Antônio Francisco Lisboa, better known as
Aleijadinho ("little cripple") due to an illness he suffered. Aleijadinho's life is a mystery to many
historians. A master of the Baroque style, the prolific artist left his brilliant testament everywhere,
from elaborate angel sculptures to intricate façades adorning church entryways. Among his
creations is the beautiful São Francisco de Assis church, a collaboration with the famed painter
Manoel da Costa Athayde. Aleijadinho worked endlessly to carve the church's entire exterior,
while Athayde labored on the paintings inside.
5. Igreja de São Francisco de Assis
Aleijadinho's baroque art betrays a deep conviction in Christian ideals of the time, where
biblical notions of sin, remorse, pain and guilt are mixed with essential ideals
of justice, strength and salvation.
6. A sculpture of justice and strength: inseparable ideals
Another exquisite example of Brazilian artwork can be seen at the nearby Igreja de Nossa Senhora
do Carmo. It was the first church in Minas Gerais to be adorned in the rococó style. Set atop a
steep hill, the church is at once imposing yet tranquil, as envisioned by the influential Third
Religious Order of Carmel and designed by Manoel Francisco Lisboa, Aleijadinho’s father. Manoel
Lisboa died shortly after construction began in 1766, and the burden fell on Aleijadinho to finish
the work. After its opening in 1772, Aleijadinho never stopped renovating the church, contributing
his last pieces almost four decades later, in 1809.
7. Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Church of Our Lady of Carmel)
Aleijadinho suffered from a mysterious debilitating disease which with time began to paralyze him.
A determined man, he refused to give up and had his slaves tie the tools he needed to his hands
and arms when necessary. Though disabled, he continued to create masterful works throughout his career,
establishing himself as a giant in Brazilian art. Eventually, though, his illness prevailed, and
Aleijadinho became totally paralyzed in 1812. Two years later, he died in poverty.
8. Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Mercês e Misericórdia
Today, the details of Aleijadinho's life is shrouded in mystery and controversy. Some historians believe
that Aleijadinho the genius never existed, but a myth propagated by the Getúlio Vargas regime during
his totalitarian dictatorship. After his military coup in 1937, Vargas needed a national hero and conveniently
created Aleijadinho, a cripple who worked relentlessly in overcoming his disability to become a giant,
a perfect embodiment of the Brazilian ideals.
Most historians today believe that the brilliant Aleijadinho really did exist, but perhaps his exploits were
exaggerated by the Vargas government in a bid to create a national identity. Some of the 5,000 pieces of
workmanship attributed to Aleijadinho might actually have been created by other artists. Nothing, however,
can diminish the exquisite beauty of 18th century Brazilian art, of which Ouro Preto has in abundance.
(c) 2003-2007 Ade Barkah. All Rights Reserved.
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