Tintas da terra, tintas do Reino: Arquitetura e Arte nas missões jesuíticas do Grão-Pará (1653-1759)

Abstract

Teses e Dissertações This thesis is a study of the artistic and architectural production of the Jesuit Missions in the former State of Maranhão and Grão-Pará, which was established in 1621, with a special emphasis on the Captaincy of Grão-Pará. The period under study spans the time from 1653, when the Society of Jesus settled in the city of Belém, to 1759, when the Jesuits were expelled from Portuguese colonies. This thesis focuses in particular on the artistic work of both Jesuits and Indians carried out in the workshops at the Jesuit School of Santo Alexandre in Belém in the 18 th Century. The thesis seeks to trace the dissemination of the models created in such workshops throughout the Jesuit churches and chapels that were bu lt along the borders of the River Amazon and its tributaries, especially those located in the Jesuit aldeias, vilas and fazendas closer to Belém (V la de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré da Vigia, V la Souza do Caeté, Mortigura, Gibirié, Mamaiacú, Jaguarari, among others). The hypothesis under investigation in this study is that Belém, in addition to being an economic and commercial hub, was also an artistic center providing models, working methods and technical expertise for the entire Jesuit artistic community in the Grão-Pará. The title "Tintas da Terra, Tintas do Reino" summarizes the core idea underlying this thesis, namely that the Jesuit legacy in the art and architecture of the Grão-Pará missions is the result of the work of Europeans and Indians, and of their own cultural traditions.