Portrait of Pedro Américo

Pedro Américo Paintings: The 29 Most Famous, Through a Gallery's Eye

Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 30 works by Pedro Américo in our catalogue

In short

To the gallery's eye, Pedro Américo's most famous painting is Independence or Death (1888), whose original hangs in the Ipiranga Museum, São Paulo. São Jerônimo (1867) and Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida (1870) complete the trio every eye recognises. Of the 30 works by Pedro Américo in our catalog, the gallery presents the 29 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.

1843 – 1905, Areia Most works: Museu Nacional de Belas Artes
Independence or Death (1888) by Pedro Américo1. Independence or Death 1888 São Jerônimo (1867) by Pedro Américo2. São Jerônimo 1867 Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida (1870) by Pedro Américo3. Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida 1870

The gallery's top 10 Pedro Américo paintings

1
Independence or Death (1888) by Pedro Américo

Independence or Death

1888 · Oil On Canvas · Ipiranga Museum, São Paulo

The oil on canvas painting, titled Independence or Death, presents a large-scale, dramatic historical scene characterized by dynamic movement and a sense of epic triumph. The composition is organized along a diagonal path that leads the eye from the lower left toward the upper right, following the movement of mounted figures. The color palette is dominated by warm, earthy tones—ochre, sienna, and browns—contrasted against a pale, expansive sky with soft…

The story behind this original
2
São Jerônimo (1867) by Pedro Américo

São Jerônimo

1867 · Oil On Canvas · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, Rio de Janeiro

A profile of weathered skin and heavy shadow defines this study of an elderly man. The light enters from the upper left, catching the ridge of a nose and the high curve of a cheekbone. It leaves the eye sockets in deep, dark hollows. A thick, white beard flows in coarse, sculptural strands, catching the light like salt on stone. The subject’s gaze is cast downward, heavy with a sense…

Look closer at this work
3
Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida (1870) by Pedro Américo

Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida

1870 · Oil On Canvas · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, Rio de Janeiro

The air in the room feels heavy, stilled by the quiet dignity of Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida. She sits in a three-quarter view, her gaze meeting the viewer with a poise that suggests a lifetime of composed grace. The light, soft and directional, spills from the upper left, washing over the pale skin of her face and neck before retreating into the deep, somber folds of her black dress.…

Look closer at this work
4
Portrait of the Viscount of Santo Amaro (1878) by Pedro Américo

Portrait of the Viscount of Santo Amaro

1878 · Oil On Canvas · Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo, Sao Paulo

In this formal and dignified 19th-century academic portrait, Pedro Américo presents the Portrait of the Viscount of Santo Amaro. The composition is a three-quarter length study of a single male figure, positioned slightly off-center to establish a sense of presence and authority. The subject is dressed in an ornate, decorated uniform, heavily adorned with various medals and orders that signify his high social standing and military achievement. This meticulous attention…

Look closer at this work
5
The Emperor's speech (Peter II of Brazil in the opening of the General Assembly) (1872) by Pedro Américo

The Emperor's speech (Peter II of Brazil in the opening of the General Assembly)

1872 · Oil On Canvas · Imperial Museum of Brazil, Petrópolis

The Emperor's speech (Peter II of Brazil in the opening of the General Assembly) is an oil on canvas created by the Brazilian artist Pedro Américo about 1872. The work captures a significant political ceremony held twice a year during the imperial era. It focuses on the formal proceedings surrounding the opening and closing of the General Assembly.

About this original
6
Conselheiro lopes netto (1882) by Pedro Américo

Conselheiro lopes netto

1882 · Oil On Canvas · Museu Histórico Nacional, Rio de Janeiro

In this 1882 portrait, we find ourselves in the presence of Conselheiro Lopes Netto, captured in a moment of quiet, formal repose. The subject is an older man, his features softened by a slight, knowing smile that suggests a life of intellect and service. He is presented in a three-quarter length view, facing us with a directness that feels both personal and official. His attire speaks of a high station;…

The story behind this original
7
Retrato do Conselheiro Filipe Lopes Neto (1882) by Pedro Américo

Retrato do Conselheiro Filipe Lopes Neto

1882 · Oil On Canvas · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, Rio de Janeiro

The portrait of Conselheiro Filipe Lopes Neto captures a moment of profound stillness and institutional weight. Positioned in a three-quarter length view, the subject occupies the center of the composition, his presence anchored by a dark, shadowy background that pushes his figure toward the viewer. A heavy red drapery falls behind him, providing a sharp chromatic contrast to the deep tones of the shadows. This deliberate use of color directs…

About this original
8
Moses and Jochebed (1884) by Pedro Américo

Moses and Jochebed

1884 · Oil On Canvas · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, Rio de Janeiro

The air in the painting feels heavy with the scent of dry earth and the quiet terror of a secret. Jochebed stands in a three-quarter view, her body a curved shield against an unseen threat. She does not look at the viewer, but gazes into the distance with eyes wide from vigilance. In her arms, the infant Moses is a small, pale weight wrapped in coarse cloth. The light falls…

About this original
9
Árab violin player (1884) by Pedro Américo

Árab violin player

1884 · Oil On Canvas · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, Rio de Janeiro

A young person, likely of Arab descent, sits in a moment of stillness, holding a violin. The figure is positioned slightly off-center, gaze directed toward the left frame, lost in thought. Light enters from the upper left, casting soft shadows across the face and defining the deep folds of heavy white garments. This vertical portrait uses a shallow depth-of-field to push the subject forward, isolating the musician against a dense,…

About this original
10
The Vote of Heloíse (1880) by Pedro Américo

The Vote of Heloíse

1880 · Oil · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, Rio de Janeiro

We are looking at The Vote of Heloíse, an oil painting that emerged from the studio of Pedro Américo in 1880. This work belongs to the genre of history painting, a field where the artist often turned his attention toward significant narratives and allegorical themes. Created in Brazil, the piece reflects the academic traditions that Américo helped establish during his career.

The story behind this original

Pedro Américo paintings, ranked 11 to 29

11Joana d’Arc (1883) by Pedro AméricoJoana d’Arc1883 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes 12A Carioca (1882) by Pedro AméricoA Carioca1882 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes 13Judith and Holofernes (1880) by Pedro AméricoJudith and Holofernes1880 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes 14Infant John IV of Portugal, Duke of Braganza, in 1608 (1879) by Pedro AméricoInfant John IV of Portugal, Duke of Braganza, in 16081879 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes 15The night accompanied by the geniuses of study and love (1883) by Pedro AméricoThe night accompanied by the geniuses of study and love1883 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes 16Faust and Gretchen (1887) by Pedro AméricoFaust and Gretchen1887 · Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo 17Portrait of the poet Luís Nicolau Fagundes Varela (1888) by Pedro AméricoPortrait of the poet Luís Nicolau Fagundes Varela1888 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes 18Self-portrait (1895) by Pedro AméricoSelf-portrait1895 19Peace and Concord (1895) by Pedro AméricoPeace and Concord1895 · Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand 20Hamlet’s Vision (1893) by Pedro AméricoHamlet’s Vision1893 · Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo 21Il Principe (...) dell (1886) by Pedro AméricoIl Principe (...) dell1886 · Centro Cultural São Paulo 22Retrato de Silvino de Almeida Brito by Pedro AméricoRetrato de Silvino de Almeida BritoMuseu Nacional de Belas Artes 23Lion by Pedro AméricoLionPinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo 24Crossing the Chaco (study) (1871) by Pedro AméricoCrossing the Chaco (study)1871 · Museu Histórico Nacional 25Tiradentes Quartered (1893) by Pedro AméricoTiradentes Quartered1893 · Mariano Procópio Museum 26The Liberation of Slaves (1889) by Pedro AméricoThe Liberation of Slaves1889 27Battle of Avaí by Pedro AméricoBattle of AvaíMuseu Nacional de Belas Artes 28Passagem do Chaco (1871) by Pedro AméricoPassagem do Chaco1871 · Museu Histórico Nacional 29Battle of Campo Grande (1871) by Pedro AméricoBattle of Campo Grande1871 · Imperial Museum of Brazil

The subjects that held Pedro Américo's eye

The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.

Man 9 works

São Jerônimo (1867), Pedro Américo #2 São Jerônimo 1867 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes Portrait of the Viscount of Santo Amaro (1878), Pedro Américo #4 Portrait of the Viscount of Santo Amaro 1878 · Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo Conselheiro lopes netto (1882), Pedro Américo #6 Conselheiro lopes netto 1882 · Museu Histórico Nacional Retrato do Conselheiro Filipe Lopes Neto (1882), Pedro Américo #7 Retrato do Conselheiro Filipe Lopes Neto 1882 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes

Woman 9 works

Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida (1870), Pedro Américo #3 Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida 1870 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes Moses and Jochebed (1884), Pedro Américo #8 Moses and Jochebed 1884 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes The Vote of Heloíse (1880), Pedro Américo #10 The Vote of Heloíse 1880 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes Joana d’Arc (1883), Pedro Américo #11 Joana d’Arc 1883 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes

Dark background 4 works

Judith and Holofernes (1880), Pedro Américo #13 Judith and Holofernes 1880 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes Self-portrait (1895), Pedro Américo #18 Self-portrait 1895 Retrato do Conselheiro Filipe Lopes Neto (1882), Pedro Américo #7 Retrato do Conselheiro Filipe Lopes Neto 1882 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes The Vote of Heloíse (1880), Pedro Américo #10 The Vote of Heloíse 1880 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes

Landscape 3 works

Independence or Death (1888), Pedro Américo #1 Independence or Death 1888 · Ipiranga Museum Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida (1870), Pedro Américo #3 Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida 1870 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes Moses and Jochebed (1884), Pedro Américo #8 Moses and Jochebed 1884 · Museu Nacional de Belas Artes

The museums that keep Pedro Américo's originals

The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Pedro Américo Paintings from this list
Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, Rio de JaneiroMuseu Nacional de Belas Artes Rio de Janeiro 14 São Jerônimo, Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida, Retrato do Conselheiro Filipe Lopes Neto
Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo, Sao PauloPinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo Sao Paulo 4 Portrait of the Viscount of Santo Amaro, Faust and Gretchen, Hamlet’s Vision
Museu Histórico Nacional, Rio de JaneiroMuseu Histórico Nacional Rio de Janeiro 3 Conselheiro lopes netto, Crossing the Chaco (study), Passagem do Chaco
Imperial Museum of Brazil, PetrópolisImperial Museum of Brazil Petrópolis 2 The Emperor's speech (Peter II of Brazil in the opening of the General Assembly), Battle of Campo Grande
Ipiranga Museum, São PauloIpiranga Museum São Paulo 1 Independence or Death
Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand, Sao PauloMuseu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand Sao Paulo 1 Peace and Concord
Centro Cultural São Paulo, Sao PauloCentro Cultural São Paulo Sao Paulo 1 Il Principe (...) dell
Mariano Procópio Museum, Juiz de ForaMariano Procópio Museum Juiz de Fora 1 Tiradentes Quartered

Pedro Américo, one signature painting per decade

Works per decade

Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.

Pedro Américo's paintings: the gallery answers

Which Pedro Américo painting is the most famous of all?Reveal the answer

Independence or Death (1888), Ipiranga Museum, São Paulo. São Jerônimo (1867) and Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida (1870) come next.

How old was Pedro Américo on completing Independence or Death?Reveal the answer

45 years old: Independence or Death dates from 1888, and Pedro Américo was born in 1843.

Which are Pedro Américo's top 10 paintings?Reveal the answer

Independence or Death, São Jerônimo, Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida, Portrait of the Viscount of Santo Amaro, The Emperor's speech (Peter II of Brazil in the opening of the General Assembly), Conselheiro lopes netto, Retrato do Conselheiro Filipe Lopes Neto, Moses and Jochebed, Árab violin player and The Vote of Heloíse. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.

How many works did Pedro Américo create?Reveal the answer

Our catalog holds 30 works by Pedro Américo, dated from 1867 to 1895.

Where do Pedro Américo's most famous originals hang?Reveal the answer

Mostly in Museu Nacional de Belas Artes (Rio de Janeiro), Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo (Sao Paulo) and Museu Histórico Nacional (Rio de Janeiro). The museum table above lists them all.

When did Pedro Américo create the most famous paintings?Reveal the answer

In 1880s: 14 of the 29 works on this page were made then, Independence or Death among them.

Which are Pedro Américo's earliest and latest famous works?Reveal the answer

On this page, the earliest is São Jerônimo (1867) and the latest Self-portrait (1895).

Which subjects did Pedro Américo return to most?Reveal the answer

Man (9), Woman (9) and Dark background (4), across the 29 works on this page.

Which medium did Pedro Américo work in most?Reveal the answer

Oil On Canvas, for 18 of the 29 works on this page.

Which Pedro Américo originals does the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes hold?Reveal the answer

São Jerônimo, Retrato de Maria Custódia Guimarães de Almeida and Retrato do Conselheiro Filipe Lopes Neto: the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, Rio de Janeiro holds 14 of the works on this page.

Pedro Américo: the artist

Early Life and Education

  • Born: April 29, 1843, in Areia, Brazil
  • Died: October 7, 1905
  • Pedro Américo de Figueiredo e Melo displayed artistic talent from a young age, considered a child prodigy.
  • He participated as a draftsman on an expedition of naturalists through the Brazilian Northeast, receiving government support for his studies.
  • Furthered his education in Paris, studying with renowned painters and also dedicating himself to science and philosophy.

Artistic Style and Major Works

  • Pedro Américo's style fused neoclassical, romantic, and realistic elements, establishing him as a key figure in Brazilian academic painting.
  • His works are characterized by their historical significance and enduring presence in the national imagination.
  • Notable Works:
    • Batalha de Avaí (Battle of Avai) - Depicts a pivotal battle in Brazilian history.
    • Fala do Trono (Speech from the Throne) – A portrayal of imperial power and ceremony.
    • Independência ou Morte! (Independence or Death!) – Captures a dramatic moment of national significance.
    • Tiradentes Esquartejado (Tiradentes Quartered) - Illustrates a tragic event in Brazilian history, showcasing the brutality of colonial rule.
  • In the later part of his career, he shifted towards oriental, allegorical, and biblical themes.

Influences and Development

  • Early exposure to art through family members fostered a passion for drawing from a young age.
  • Studies in Paris exposed him to European artistic traditions, particularly neoclassical and romantic styles.
  • His scientific pursuits influenced his approach to realism, emphasizing accuracy and detail in his depictions.
  • Pedro Américo’s work reflects the broader cultural and political context of 19th-century Brazil, including its aspirations for modernization and nation-building.

Legacy and Historical Significance

  • Pedro Américo is considered one of the most important academic painters in Brazilian history.
  • His paintings are celebrated for their artistic merit and historical importance, often serving as visual representations of key moments in Brazil's past.
  • He left a significant written legacy on aesthetics, art history, and philosophy, emphasizing education’s role in progress.
  • Despite facing criticism from avant-garde movements for his adherence to academic traditions, Pedro Américo remains a pivotal figure in Brazilian culture.
  • His works can be found in museums such as the Museu Histórico Nacional in Rio de Janeiro and are available on platforms like OriginalUniqueArt.com.

Recognition and Honors

  • Historical Painter of the Imperial Chamber
  • Order of the Rose
  • Order of the Holy Sepulchre
  • Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the Sorbonne
  • PhD in Natural Sciences from the Free University of Brussels
All 30 works by Pedro Américo →