The house of the Marquesa de Santos -- a building currently listed as a heritage site by IPHAN -- was a gift from Emperor Dom Pedro I to his mistress, Domitila de Castro Canto e Melo, the Marquesa de Santos, in 1827. It is a beautiful example of a rare 19th-century architectural specimen, and it was one of the first buildings to be listed by IPHAN, in 1938. The design was made by Jean Pierre Pezerat, the emperor's architect, and adorned with decorative paintings by Francisco Pedro do Amaral and stucco work by the Ferrez brothers.
Portrait of Domitila de Castro Canto e Melo, the Marquesa de Santos. Oil on canvas by Francisco Pedro do Amaral. Wikimedia Commons
Image description: This is a painting depicting a seated woman. The figure is dressed in a white gown, adorned with a pink and white bow at the waist. Her attire includes long sleeves with lace details and a pearl necklace. The woman has dark hair pulled back into an elaborate hairstyle, with a metal and stone accessory. She holds a small object in her hands, which appears to be a watch or a brooch. The background is dark, with a visible ceiling structure above her.In 1829, the romance between the emperor and his mistress came to an end, and the manor house was sold. Since then, it has passed through several owners, with the Baron of Mauá being one of the most famous.
In the 1970s, it was transformed into the Museum of the First Reign, which remained open to the public until 2012, when the building was closed for restoration. After the renovation, the building will be occupied by a new museum: the Museum of Fashion.
Neoclassical façade of the Marquesa de Santos Palace in the São Cristóvão neighborhood, Rio de Janeiro. Creative Commons license
Image description: This is a photograph of a historic building, possibly the House of the Marquesa de Santos. The image shows a classical facade with detailed architectural elements. On the left side, we see a series of windows with black grilles and a decorative balcony. On the right, there are more windows and an arched entrance covered by a metal gate. The building is white, with ornamental relief details on the upper section. In front, there is a gray metal fence and a few protective posts. The sky is clear, indicating a sunny day.BNDES support covered the implementation of emergency interventions, as well as the artistic restoration of the panels in one of the halls, as part of the pilot project for its future restoration.
The Casa da Marquesa is the starting point for showcasing the importance of women in Brazilian history, fashion, and culture through the preservation of memory from the reign of Dom Pedro I in Brazil. The house is housed in the historic building of the Palacete do Caminho Novo, the former residence of the Marquesa de Santos. For this reason, it also became known as the Solar da Marquesa de Santos.
Drawing by Aline, one of the authors of the work.
Image description: The image is an illustration in tones of red and pink. On the left side, we see the silhouette of a human face, and on the right side, the silhouette of another human face. Both look at each other face to face, with serene expressions. Between them, there is an architectural structure resembling the Roman Colosseum, with arches and windows. The illustration is signed "ALINE" in the bottom right corner.
