Statue of Dom Pedro I  – Tiradentes Square

The equestrian statue of Dom Pedro I, located in the heart of downtown Rio de Janeiro in Tiradentes Square, is one of the city’s most iconic monuments. Since its unveiling in 1862, the statue has been a landmark of historical and cultural significance, honoring the proclaimer of Brazil’s independence and the country’s first Emperor.

Manoel Banchieri. The statue shortly after its unveiling in 1862, prior to the installation of the surrounding fence. National Library.

The statue was initially scheduled to be unveiled on 25 March, 1862, the anniversary of the ratification of the Brazilian Constitution – granted by Dom Pedro I himself 38 years earlier. However, heavy rain meant the inauguration was postponed to March 30. It was marked by a grand civic celebration. After all, it was the first public sculpture in the country. The strong public engagement reflects the symbolic importance of Dom Pedro I to Brazilians of that era. 

The inauguration was also notable as one of the earliest uses of intermittent electricity in the city. The statue was lit up by a beam of electric light emitted from a window of the São Pedro Theater, now the João Caetano Theater, located next to the square. The electricity was supplied by a pharmacist from Rua da Assembleia, though the exact method used remains unknown. 

During the 19th century, the square where the statue stands served as a meeting place for intellectuals, politicians, and the general public, making it a stage for events and public demonstrations. The bustling movement of people brought the area to life, with merchants, soldiers, and street vendors congregating around the statue.

Augusto Stahl. Constitution Square, now Tiradentes Square, featuring the equestrian statue of Pedro I, circa 1865. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Instituto Moreira Salles.

The current Tiradentes Square has been known by several names, including Campo dos Ciganos, Largo do Rocio, and, at the time the monument was built, Constitution Square. The choice of location for the Dom Pedro I statue was no coincidence: the space had always played a central role in the public and political life of the city, hosting civic events and military parades. Over the years, Tiradentes Square has undergone numerous urban transformations, but the statue remains a central feature and a symbol of historical continuity.

Marc Ferrez. The statue after the installation of the surrounding fence. Instituto Moreira Salles.

The monument was conceived by Brazilian visual artist João Maximiano Mafra (1823–1908) and executed by French sculptor Louis Rochet (1813–1878). Mafra, who was the secretary of the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts (AIBA) at the time, won first place in the competition held by the Academy to select the winning design for the statue. Rochet came third.

Dom Pedro I is depicted wearing a military uniform and mounted on an imposing horse. He is holding the 1824 Constitution in his right hand – a symbol of his authority and influence in shaping the Brazilian state. Rochet, known for his historically significant and realistic works, created the sculpture in Paris, emphasizing the presence of the Emperor with an expression of grandeur. The statue is made of bronze and rests on a pedestal of gneiss stone – used in many other monuments throughout the city.

Micheles. Photographer. Equestrian statue of Dom Pedro I, 1861. Paris, France. FBN Collection. Brasiliana Fotográfica.

The most significant dates of Dom Pedro I’s private and political life are engraved on the cast-iron railing: 12 October, 1798 (birth); 6 November, 1817 (marriage to Dona Leopoldina); 9 January, 1822 (Dia do Fico); 13 May, 1822 (appointed Perpetual Defender of Brazil); 12 October, 1822 (proclaimed Emperor of Brazil); 1 December, 1822 (coronation); 25 March, 1824 (ratification of the first Brazilian Constitution); and 17 October, 1829 (marriage to Dona Amélia).

Listed by the State Institute of Cultural Heritage in 1978, the statue was the first monument erected in honor of a political figure, setting a precedent for the creation of similar monuments throughout the country.

Around the pedestal of the statue, indigenous figures, wild animals, and native plants symbolize four Brazilian rivers (Amazonas, Paraná, Madeira, and São Francisco), representing the country´s wealth and diversity. These allegories are symbols of a narrative of unity and territorial integration, reinforcing the role of Dom Pedro I as the person responsible for ensuring the unity of the country.  

The representation of indigenous people reflects an idealized view of Brazil, widely propagated by Romantic Indianism in the 19th century. The indigenous figures, portrayed in a stereotypical and romanticized manner, evoke the concept of the “noble savage,” an idea that had permeated European imagination since the colonial period and was often used to justify the domination and “civilization” of native peoples. The monument elevates the figure of Dom Pedro I while relegating indigenous people to the role of supporting characters in the construction of the nation, overlooking the violence and marginalization they suffered throughout the colonization process. It is no coincidence that they are depicted at the feet of Dom Pedro, who is seated high atop his horse.

Estela Neto, Wikimedia Commons.

The Dom Pedro I Statue remains a landmark in downtown Rio de Janeiro. Although the square is no longer the epicenter of the city’s political and social activities, its imposing presence is striking and invites passersby to reflect on the image of Dom Pedro I and Brazil’s imperial period. As such, the monument is part of a contested memory, raising questions about how it shapes (or fails to shape) the historical imagination of the population.