The First Mass in Brazil
Victor Meirelles · 1859
Why it's great
A group of Portuguese explorers and Indigenous people gather around a big cross at the first Catholic Mass held in Brazil in 1500. Victor Meirelles painted this in 1861 as a founding image of the nation. The Indigenous viewers are shown as curious bystanders. It's one of the best-known paintings in Brazil.
Where to see it
📍 Museu Nacional de Belas ArtesRio de Janeiro, Brazil
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Victor Meirelles was born in Florianópolis, Brazil, and studied in Rio de Janeiro and Europe. He painted large pictures of the history of Brazil, such as 'The First Mass in Brazil'. He died in Rio de Janeiro in 1903.
