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Aleijadinho's Two Churches of Saint Francis |
The
church
of São Francisco de Assis, in the historic
town of São João del Rei. Finished in 1774, this
jewel
of a church, with its carvings and graceful curves, is one of the
finest
examples of "Barroco Mineiro," an art form characterized by
the fusion of the European baroque and rococo styles, without the
excesses
of either. Its practioners used local materials -- wood and
soapstone.
The "Barroco Mineiro" reached its apex in the 18th century, Aleijadinho
being its greatest artist.
The Church
of Saint Francis seen from the back.
The gracefully elegant
Church of São Francisco de Assis (1766), in Ouro Preto, is one
of
Aleijadinho's masterpieces. With its remarkably elegant and
graceful façade, this church is another fine example of
Brazilian
baroque architecture.
©
2004 E. F. Giacomelli
Revised
July 2004
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Historic Towns Brazilian Culture Ouro Preto Diamantina