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Painter and professor,Vitor Meireles (1832-1903), was born in
Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, having entered in the Imperial Academy of
Fine Arts, in Rio de Janeiro, in 1847.
In 1852, he obtained the prize for a trip to Europe, having established
himself in Italy. As a pensionary of the Brazilian Government, he remits a
great quantity of originals and copies to the Imperial Academy of Fine
Arts. Still living in Europe, he paints "The First Mass in Brazil" that
participated of the Paris Salon in 186l, and now belonging to the
collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts.
Back in Brazil, he is condecorated with the medal of the Imperial Order of
the Rose and nominated honorary professor of the Imperial Academy. In
1862, he assumes the chair of Historic Painting, where he remained until 1890.
Besides the "Naval Combat of Riachuelo", Vitor Meireles produced other
important historic paintings, such as the "Humaitá Pass", also belonging
to the collection of the National Historical Museum, and after being
restored by the technicians of the Laboratory of Conservation and
Restoration, is now in permanent exhibition. This painting also depicts
another episode of the Paraguayan War.
Also other significant paintings are the "Guararapes Battle" the "Oath of
Princess Isabel".
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