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 state of conservation.
Unique piece.
Princess Isabel and Emperor Dom Pedro II are two of the most admired historical figures 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 for promoting a relatively stable and progressive government. He was known for his erudite character and commitment to the well-being of the country. Princess Isabel is revered mainly for her decisive role in the abolition of slavery, culminating in the signing of the Lei Áurea (Golden Law) in 1888, a fundamental milestone in the fight for human rights in Brazil. The combination of the 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 of Orléans and Braganza, born on 15 October 1875, was the eldest son of Princess Isabel and Count d'Eu. As the firstborn, he was initially the heir presumptive 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 marry morganatically to Elisabeth Dobrzensky of Dobrzenicz, a Czech noblewoman, which meant that their union was not considered equal according to the royal norms of the time. This renunciation 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 depicting Princess Isabel and Dom Pedro II are very rare, especially when signed by one of them, as in the case of Isabel here. Pedro's signature, still a child, is of additional interest: it is the only one I have seen of him at that age. Perhaps this portrait was a gift from Isabel and Pedro to the Emperor?
