A monument in honor of emperor Pedro I of Brazil was idealized by the Senate since 1824, but due to the emperor's abdication in 1831 the project was abandoned.[1]
In 1854, on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Brazil's Independence, the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro, by proposal of Haddock Lobo [pt], decided to erect the statue.[2][3] The proposal was also approved by emperor Pedro II.[2]
A contest was then held in 1855 by the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts to choose the project. The winning project was that of artist João Maximiano Mafra [pt], at the time director of the Academy. Louis Rochet [pt], winner of the third place, was chosen to execute and cast the bronze sculptures in Paris.[1]
The place chosen for the monument was the Constituição Square (today Tiradentes Square), the same place where Pedro I swore the 1824 Constitution (in the São João Theatre) and also where Tiradentes was hanged on 21 April 1792.[2][3]
The inauguration, first set to take place on 25 March 1862, the day in which emperor Pedro I issued the 1824 Brazilian Constitution, was postponed to 30 March due to heavy rains.[1][3]
As a whole, it presents emperor Pedro I on a horse, waving the 1824 Constitutional Charter in his right hand, the Brazilian provinces at the time, as well as the four great rivers of Brazil — Amazon, Madeira, São Francisco and Paraná. The allegories feature indigenous people and various species of animals — tapirs, armadillos, anteaters, capybaras — as well as golden wyverns and various other decorative motifs.[1][2][3]
On the main side, below the statue, it has the inscription "to D. Pedro I, gratitude of the Brazilian people". The base, 3.30 meters high, is made of Carioca granite; the pedestal, 6.40 meters high, is made of bronze and the statue, also made of bronze, is 6.00 meters high.[1][2]
