The First Mass revisited in 500 years

Abstract

The text discusses Vitor Meireles’ ‘Primeira Missa’ in its current use as an illustration alluding to Brasil’s European discovering and one of the country’s most important icons, looking at it for its role in our imaginary of our national history. For methodological purpose, a description of the painting is carried out aiming at the outcome of meanings from the form. Essential questions of the artistic visual language such as drawing, composition and painting support the description, in which relevant Sues concerning painting are put in relief, taking into account the circumstances of that painting’s production and exhibition.