Who is who in “Independence or Death”?

Everyone knows the frame Independence or death. Pedro Américo finished the painting in 1888 to represent (in an epic way) the moment when Dom Pedro proclaimed Brazilian independence in 1822.

The figure of the then Prince Regent in the painting is already well known – we marked it with the number 7 in the image below. He appears mounted on a horse, raising his sword. But who are the other people?

They are not random. Pedro Américo even did extensive research to compose the picture, studying the independence movement and talking to witnesses present on September 7, 1822. He portrayed seven important figures.

Writer Gustavo Penna spent two years reviewing historical documents to understand who the people in the painting are. He wrote the children’s book “Os Sete da Independência” and talked with the Super to share what you discovered in your research.

(1) Major Antônio Ramos Cordeiro and (2) Paulo Emílio Bregaro

On the afternoon of the 7th of September (a saturday), Dom Pedro and his entourage climbed the Serra do Mar to arrive in São Paulo, departing from Santos. That’s when two messengers arrived bringing a bundle of letters, which communicated the latest decisions of Portugal: D. Pedro would no longer be the regent of the colony, and his authority would be limited to Rio de Janeiro.

This was the final straw for the proclamation of Brazilian independence. After reading the letters, D. Pedro reportedly said: “From now on, our relations are broken. I want nothing more with the Portuguese government, and I proclaim Brazil, forever separated from Portugal”.

The messengers were Paulo Emílio Bregaro and Major Antônio Ramos Cordeiro. They received the mission, from the São Paulo minister José Bonifácio, to make the letter reach the Prince Regent as quickly as possible. They spent days crossing the forest from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo, and found D. Pedro on the banks of the Ipiranga stream.

Paulo Emílio was considered Patron of the Post Office for the delivery of correspondence.

(3) Francisco Gomes da Silva

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Also known as Chalaça, Francisco was a friend and confidant of D. Pedro. He was born in Portugal, but came to Brazilian lands because he jumped into the ship when the Portuguese Court moved to the colony, fleeing the Napoleonic troops.

Pun was the Prince Regent’s drinking partner, but not only. He was a member of the Guard of Honor of D. Pedro, a supporter of the proclamation of independence and a politician. He participated in the creation of the Constitution of 1824, the first in Brazil.

(4) Colonel Antônio Leite Pereira da Gama Lobo

The colonel was the first commander of the Guard of Honor of D. Pedro, responsible for the security of the Prince Regent. He was one of the few living witnesses that Pedro Américo was able to consult to create the painting Independence or death.

(5) Brigadier Manuel Rodrigues Jordan

Manuel, from São Paulo, was a friend of D. Pedro, a supporter of independence and one of the richest landowners in São Paulo. (He even owned the land that became the São Paulo municipality of Campos do Jordão.)

The Prince Regent’s entourage was passing through Brigadier Manuel’s lands when the letters arrived. Although Pedro Américo included the paulistano in the painting, he was not part of the original scene.

(6) Luís de Saldanha de Brito

The carioca was from the family that received D. Pedro and the Portuguese court in Brazil. At the time of the painting, he served as Secretary of State. He was a Brazilian diplomat during the reign of D. Pedro and died with the title of Marquis of Taubaté.

The painting “Independência ou Morte” has been restored and is part of the collection of the Museu Paulista at the University of São Paulo (also known as the Museu do Ipiranga). Closed to visitors since 2013, the museum will open to the general public from the 8th of September.

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