Uma estátua para o Conde de S. Bento

Abstract

This article makes a critical analysis of the process of creation and placement in the public space of Santo Tirso of its first statue, in 1892, which represents the Count of S. Bento, emigrant in Brazil, and born in S. Miguel das Aves. Through municipal documentation, of Irmandade and Santa Casa of Misericórdia of Santo Tirso and the local and regional press, we will follow the public debate raised by the construction of the statue and the vicissitudes of a public subscription that brought together interest on both sides of the Atlantic, and a subcommittee was created in Rio de Janeiro. A short year after the Republican uprising of January 31, 1891 in the city of Porto, the people from Santo Tirso felt the need to promote a tribute to the most distinguishedlocal benemeritus. This moment was also important because unveils the liberal society of the time and its values.