Portrait signed by Princess Isabel and her son Pedro

Princess Isabel and her son Pedro, still a child, sign a portrait with their father and grandfather, Emperor Dom Pedro II.

• Portrait signed by Princess Isabel and her son Pedro.
• 17.2 cm x 23.5 cm.
• After exile, probably in France.
• Average condition.
• Unique piece.

Princess Isabel and Emperor Dom Pedro II are two of the historical personalities most admired by Brazilians due to their significant contributions to the history and development of Brazil. Dom Pedro II, with his long reign of 58 years, is remembered for his dedication to education, science and culture, as well as promoting a relatively stable and progressive government. He was known for his erudite character and commitment to the country's well-being. Princess Isabel is revered mainly for her decisive role in the abolition of slavery, culminating in the signing of the Lei Áurea in 1888, a fundamental milestone in the fight for human rights in Brazil. The combination of cultural and scientific progress promoted by Dom Pedro II and the act of social justice led by Isabel solidified their legacies as central and admired figures in Brazilian history.

Pedro de Alcântara de Orléans and Bragança, born on October 15, 1875, was the eldest son of Princess Isabel and Count d'Eu. As the firstborn, he was initially the presumptive heir to the throne of Brazil after his mother. Pedro de Alcântara grew up in exile in Europe after the proclamation of the Republic in Brazil in 1889, living mainly in France. In 1908, he renounced his dynastic rights to morganatically marry Elisabeth Dobrzensky of Dobrzenicz, a Czech noblewoman, which meant that their union was not considered egalitarian according to the royal norms of the time. This resignation transferred dynastic rights to his younger brother, Luiz. Pedro had a close relationship with his mother, Princess Isabel, who respected his decision to marry despite the dynastic implications. He also shared a strong bond with his grandfather, Emperor Dom Pedro II, who appreciated his intellectual and moral qualities.

Portraits representing Princess Isabel and Dom Pedro II are very rare, especially when signed by one of the two, as in the case of Isabel here. Pedro's signature, still a child, is an additional interest: it is the only one I saw of him at that age. Perhaps this portrait was a gift from Isabel and Pedro to the Emperor?