Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,
A vandalised painting depicting a political figure lies on a room at the National Congress
By Aoife Walsh and Daniel Gallas
BBC News
When thousands of rioters ransacked Brazil’s monumental government buildings on Sunday, political leaders condemned the grave attack on the country’s democratic fabric.
In waves of green and yellow, thousands of far-right supporters of Brazil’s ex-leader, Jair Bolsonaro, wreaked havoc on Congress, the Supreme Court and Presidential Palace in Brasilia, leaving a trail of destruction behind them.
But the three buildings also held a rich collection of art, some of which suffered irreparable damage. The government has mourned the loss of key parts of the artistic collection, which it said represents an important chapter in its national history.
Image source, Reuters
“The value of what was destroyed is incalculable because of the history it represents. The collection is a representation of all the presidents who represented the Brazilian people during this long period that begins with JK [Juscelino Kubitschek, president from 1956 to 1961]. This is its historical value”, the Director of Curatorship of the Presidential Palaces, Rogério Carvalho, said.
The works of art damaged by rioters include:
As mulatas, by Emiliano Di Cavalcanti
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,
Damage to a Emiliano Di Cavalcanti painting is inspected.
As mulatas, a painting by Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, was found punctured in seven places. The government said it was worth at least 8 million reais (£1.2m; $1.5m).
Bandeira do Brasil, by Jorge Eduardo
Bandeira do Brasil, a painting of the flag of Brazil, was displayed on the ground floor of the presidential palace. The artwork was found soaked in water after rioters had flooded the floor using fire hydrants.