BRAZILIAN DEVOTIONAL SCULPTURE:

brief hstory and its characteristics in macroregions

Abstract

Particularly through devotional sculptures Brazilian religious art is a thriving manifestation between the
17th and 19th centuries throughout the hole territory. It is framed in the concepts of cultural heritage -
material and imaterial - and it was developed with a strong contribution from afro-descendant and
indigenous hands, based on eurocentric canons, in its historical context as a portuguese colony. The
present study seeks to contribute to the enhancement of analysis about the multiple regional característica
of religious images production and, from erly classifications established by authors started in the 50’s,
20th century, proposes an unprecedented organization into 8 macro-regions - a parallel observed from
the territorial division in the 18th century, the golden period of creative effervescence, and with its
abroad relations.