The Aleijadinho at Home and Abroad: “Discovering” Race and Nation in Brazil

Recent research challenges the portrayal of Antônio Francisco Lisboa, known as Aleijadinho, as an emblem of Brazil's racial harmony. By analyzing depictions from four authors—Stefan Zweig, Rodrigo José Ferreira Bretas, Waldo Frank, and Manuel Zapata Olivella—the study reveals how ideologies of race and nation have shaped perceptions of the artist in Brazilian history and Latin American studies. The analysis highlights that most interpretations were influenced by limited regional experience and archival access, with only Bretas offering insights as a native Brazilian. The findings reinterpret Aleijadinho's legacy through contemporary historical research on race in Ouro Preto and neighboring regions, providing new perspectives on Brazil's national identity.

Maddox, J. (2012). The Aleijadinho at Home and Abroad: “Discovering” Race and Nation in Brazil. CR: The New Centennial Review, 12(2), 183–216. https://doi.org/10.1353/ncr.2012.0052