In 1895, a group of engineers designed Belo Horizonte, the new capital of Minas Gerais.
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Large photograph of the Belo Horizonte Construction Commission, with some notes by the author, the Photographic Cabinet. On the back, an image of the Imperial Chapel and the Carmos Church, in Rio de Janeiro.
- Notes in Portuguese and French.
- 30.3 cm x 24 cm.
- Belo Horizonte, 1895.
- In good general condition conservation, but with some moisture stains on the back and a defect on the upper left edge.
- Unique piece.
Front
Villon, Radice, Americo de Macedo, Samuel Perreira, Vallebella)
4th division - Construction Committee of the New Capital of Minas Gerais
Beautiful Horizon 1895
Verse
Chapelle Impériale et Eglise des Carmes (enmfrançais)
Rio de Janeiro
Born in the Northeast of France, there was no indication that I would one day live in Brazil, much less in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, where my daughter's mother was born. These are the happy coincidences of life. That's why, when, a few months ago, I found and acquired this photo, I was very happy, almost emotional.
This 1895 image depicts twenty-one sophisticated men—all sporting mustaches, except for one!—belonging to the 4th division of the Belo Horizonte Technical Commission. This team was responsible for surveying and preparing the site for the new capital of Minas Gerais, which was to replace Ouro Preto.
The Commission's engineering leader was Aarão Reis, a graduate of the Polytechnic School of Rio de Janeiro, considered the "main center of technological training in the country during the Empire". In addition to engineers, the Commission included several professionals from different areas: architects, treasurers, scribes, builders, masons, carpenters and others.
But how was the new capital of Minas Gerais chosen? Several locations were considered: Juiz de Fora, Barbacena, Paraúna, Várzea do Marçal and Belo Horizonte. The latter offered ideal conditions: central location within the state, only 100 km from Ouro Preto, abundant water resources, etc.
Construction work began in 1894 and on December 12, 1897, the new capital was officially inaugurated, already housing 10,000 inhabitants. Belo Horizonte was one of the first Brazilian cities to be planned.
I strongly hope that the new guardian of this great historical photograph will be a miner in heart and soul, or else a state institution.
