During the 2023 Brazilian Congress attack, numerous works of art were targeted by supporters of Brazilian former president Jair Bolsonaro. [1] [2] [3]
During the 2023 Brazilian Congress attack, numerous works of art were targeted by supporters of Brazilian former president Jair Bolsonaro. [1] [2] [3]
Brasília, the federal capital of Brazil, is a planned city and its architecture is considered unique in the world. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is divided into numbered blocks as well as sectors for specified activities, such as the hotel sector, the banking sector, and the embassy sector. [4] Since it is the seat of government of Brazil, Brasília houses several diplomatic gifts and artworks that are displayed in international and Brazilian art exhibitions, including in the Cultural Complex of the Republic. Government buildings in Brasília are not only themselves works of art due to their modernist architecture, but they also serve as museums, libraries and theaters to officials and the general population who come to the city seeking government services and as visitors. [5]
Many artworks were torn apart, shredded, broken, graffitied or simply stolen by the attackers in the assault. Early reports estimate that BRL 9 million (nearly USD 1.7 million) in works of art alone (government buildings not included) were lost in the attack. [6] The following artworks were damaged, destroyed or stolen by the perpetrators:
| Work name | Work type | Status | Artist | Creation date | Brazil acquisition date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relógio da Corte de Luiz XIV (clock from the court of French King Louis XIV) | Clock | Damaged | André Charles Boulle (Designer) & Balthazar Martinot (Maker) | ca. 17th century | [2] | |
| Bola de futebol assinada por Neymar (soccer ball signed by Neymar) | Soccer ball | Stolen but later recovered | Unknown | [7] | ||
| Vaso Húngaro (Hungarian porcelain vase) | Vase | Destroyed | Vausa Val | 2008 | [8] | |
| Vaso da Dinastia Shang (Shang Dynasty vase) | Vase | Destroyed | Unknown | ca. 1,600 BCE | [9] | |
| Ato de assinatura do Projeto da 1ª Constituição (The Act of signature of the Brazilian draft 1st Constitution) | Painting | Damaged | Gustavo Hastoy | 1890 | [10] | |
| Mobília do antigo Palácio Monroe (Furniture from the former Brazilian Senate building Monroe Palace) | Desks, chair | Damaged | Unknown | ca. 19th century | [11] | |
| Tinteiro do Império do Brasil (Inkwell from the Empire of Brazil) | Inkwell | Damaged | Unknown | [11] | ||
| A Bailarina (The Ballerina) | Bronze sculpture | Stolen but later recovered | Victor Brecheret | 1920 | [2] | |
| Pérola e Concha (Pearl and Shell) | Gold Sculpture | Stolen | Unknown | [8] | ||
| Ovo de Avestruz (Ostrich Egg) | Sculpture | Destroyed | Unknown | [8] | ||
| As Mulatas (The Mulatto Women) | Painting | Damaged | Di Cavalcanti | 1962 | [2] | |
| Araguaia | Stained glass panel | Destroyed | Marianne Peretti | 1977 | [2] | |
| Juscelino Kubitschek's work desk | Desk | Damaged | Oscar Niemeyer and Anna Maria Niemeyer | ca. 1960 | ca. 1960 | [2] |
| A Justiça (The Justice) | Granite sculpture | Damaged | Alfredo Ceschiatti | 1961 | [2] | |
| O Flautista (The Flautist) | Bronze sculpture | Destroyed | Bruno Giorgi | 1962 | [2] | |
| The Supreme Court Presidential chair | Chair | Damaged | Jorge Zalszupin | [2] | ||
| Galhos e Sombras (Sticks and Shadows) | Wooden sculpture | Destroyed | Frans Krajcberg | [12] | ||
| Muro Escultório (Sculptural Wall) | Wooden panel | Damaged | Athos Bulcão | [12] | ||
| Maria, Maria | Bronze sculpture | Damaged | Sônia Ebling | 1980 | [12] | |
| Bandeira do Brasil (The Brazilian Flag) | Painting | Damaged | Jorge Eduardo Alves de Souza | [12] | ||
| Vênus Apocalíptica (Apocalyptic Venus) | Plaster Sculpture | Damaged | Marta Minujín | [2] | ||
| Retrato de José Bonifácio (Portrait of José Bonifácio ) | Painting | Damaged | Oscar Pereira da Silva | 1922 | [2] | |
| Retrato de Guido Mondin (Portrait of Guido Mondin) | Painting | Damaged | Unknown | [11] | ||
| Brasão da República (The Brazilian Coat of Arms) | Coat of Arms | Damaged | Unknown | [13] | ||
| Tapestry previously owned by Princess Isabel of Brazil | Tapestry | Damaged | Unknown | [14] | ||
| Tapestry made by Burle Marx | Tapestry | Damaged | Roberto Burle Marx | [11] | ||
| Tapete Persa (Persian Carpet) | Carpet | Damaged | Unknown | [11] | ||
| Bust of Ruy Barbosa | Bust | Destroyed | Unknown | [14] | ||
| Bust of Joaquim Nabuco | Bust | Destroyed | Unknown | [14] | ||
| Rare copy of the Brazilian Constitution of 1988 | Book | Stolen but later recovered | Unknown | [15] |
After the perpetrators left the buildings, Brazilian Culture Minister Margareth Menezes announced that UNESCO had offered its expert team to help repair restorable artworks. Additionally she asked the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) conservationists and restorers to also help repair the works of art. [16]
On February 19, 2023, Switzerland offered to help Brazil restore the French 17th century clock (made by Balthazar Martinot and targeted by a Bolsonaro supporter during the attacks) in a partnership with Swiss watchmaker company Audemars Piguet, which was accepted by the Brazilian Culture ministry. [17]
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