Santos pretos: esculturas devocionais no Brasil

Abstract

This thesis discusses the production of devotional wooden sculptures of Black saints, primarily Franciscans and Carmelites, amidst various religious influences in Brazil during the 16th to 19th centuries The temporal scope of the study objects corresponds to the period during which the Christianization of the Gentiles, Blacks, and Mulattos took place, a time of significant involvement by brotherhoods, especially the one dedicated to the Rosary of the Blacks. This period witnessed the construction of numerous temples and, above all, a diverse and abundant production of polychrome sculptures, rich in craftsmanship, iconography, and values. The research methodology relied on a theoretical-practical review in the analysis of Brazilian collections, with an emphasis on major centers in the Brazilian regions. It included analyses of socio-cultural aspects, religious history, production, commonly used materials, and documentation through images. After technical, formal stylistic, and iconographic analysis of these Catholic sculptures, it was observed that the sculptures of Saints Elesbão and Ifigênia predominate among the Carmelites, while beatus Antonio de Noto and Saint Benedict are prominent among the Franciscans. It is important to highlight that despite the constant dissociation of records in the collections, the studied images stand out as significant documentary evidence of the process of evangelization of the Black population.As a result of the study, the peculiarities of devotions and influences of these works dedicated to Black saints in collections and representative exhibitions are identified. Thus, typological characteristics, applications, and recurrences in structure were evaluated, as well as representation models and their effects as tangible and intangible heritage. Despite the white hegemony in the Catholic religion, the remarkable popularity and representativeness of these wooden devotional images transcend not only aesthetic perceptions but also cultural and social spheres.