How does this artwork elucidate its History?
A monument in honor of emperor Pedro I of Brazil was idealized by the Senate since 1824, but due to the emperor's abdication in 1831 the project was abandoned.In 1854, on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Brazil's Independence, the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro, by proposal of Haddock Lobo, decided to erect the statue. The proposal was also approved by emperor Pedro II.A contest was then held in 1855 by the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts to choose the project. The winning project was that of artist João Maximiano Mafra, at the time director of the Academy. Louis Rochet, winner of the third place, was chosen to execute and cast the bronze sculptures in Paris.The place chosen for the monument was the Constituição Square (today Tiradentes Square), the same place where Pedro I swore the 1824 Constitution (in the São João Theatre) and also where Tiradentes was hanged on 21 April 1792.The inauguration, first set to take place on 25 March 1862, the day in which emperor Pedro I issued the 1824 Brazilian Constitution, was postponed to 30 March due to heavy rains.
Imperial Academy of Fine Arts Louis Rochet Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro São João Theatre Pedro I of Brazil abdication Brazil's Independence Tiradentes Pedro II Haddock Lobo João Maximiano Mafra 1824 Brazilian Constitution Paris