Quinta da Boa Vista

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Background

Constructed in 1803 by local aristocrat Elias Antônio Lopes, the original Quinta da Boa Vista was home to the Brazilian imperial family for much of the nineteenth century. The last emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro II, and his wife, Leopoldina, lived there until the monarchy was overthrown in 1889. The villa now houses the collections of the National Museum. Its interiors reflect the changing tastes of members of the imperial family, including Empress Leopoldina, whose private quarters in the south wing of the palace have elaborate molded plaster-work and painted decoration. The imposing neoclassical building is surrounded by elaborately landscaped grounds. The museum houses the most important natural history, archaeology, and ethnology collections in Brazil.

How We Helped

In 2006, through an American Express grant, WMF supported conservation work on the living room and oratory of Empress Thereza Christina. The two rooms used to be part of the royal family’s private rooms and are now part of the exhibition rooms. The ceilings, made of wood and stucco, have precious ornaments and paintings that were deteriorating as a result of lack of maintenance and natural decay. The molded plaster decorations were broken or had lost their paint and gilding, and the wood floors showed signs of insect infestation. WMF’s support led to the development a conservation plan for Empress Thereza Cristina’s quarters, and the undertaking of priority conservation measures, including the restoration of the decorative painted and gilded ceilings and doorframes.

Why It Matters

Today, Quinta da Boa Vista is a public park that encompasses the National Museum and the Zoological Garden of Rio de Janeiro. The museum serves as a great repository of natural history, archaeology, and ethnology—the largest in Latin America. This impressive site is a popular destination for both residents and tourists.

Last updated: February 2019.

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