Who painted “Independence or Death”?

“Independence or Death” was painted by Pedro Américo in 1888. Where to see it: Paulista Museum Fund Collection.

What to look for

Academic Art: smooth, glossy surfaces and idealised figures, usually from myth, the Bible or history; Realism shows ordinary people and Impressionism visible, broken strokes.

Pedro Américo de Figueiredo e Melo (29 April 1843 – 7 October 1905) was a Brazilian novelist, poet, scientist, art theorist, essayist, philosopher, politician and professor, best remembered as one of the most important academic painters in Brazil. Wikipedia

Test yourself: a round on Pedro Américo

More by Pedro Américo

“The Battle of Avaí”, 1874
“Tiradentes Quartered”, 1893
“The Liberation of Slaves”, 1889
“Battle of Campo Grande”, 1871
“Passagem do Chaco”, 1871
“The Vote of Heloíse”, 1880
“Árab violin player”, 1884
“Moses and Jochebed”, 1884