7 works of art damaged forever by assailants in Brasilia

When thousands of protesters looted government buildings in Brazil On Sunday, political leaders condemned the grave attack on the country’s democratic fabric.

In waves of green and yellow, thousands of supporters of Brazil’s far-right former president, Jair Bolsonaro, wreaked havoc on Congress, the Supreme Court of Justice and the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

LOOK: 3 mistakes that led to the invasion of Congress, the Presidency and the Supreme Court in Brasilia

The three buildings house a rich art collectionand some of the pieces suffered irreparable damage.

The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva mourned the loss of key parts of the art collection, which represents an important chapter in its national history.

REUTERS.

“The value of what has been destroyed is incalculable due to the history it contains. The collection is a reflection of all the presidents who represented the Brazilian people during this long period that begins with JK (Juscelino Kubitschek). That is its historical value,” said the Director of Curatorship of the Presidential Palaces, Rogério Carvalho.

Artworks damaged by protesters include:

Mulatas, by Emiliano Di Cavalcanti

Damage to Emiliano Di Cavalcanti’s painting is inspected. (GETTY IMAGES).

As mulattasa painting by Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, was perforated seven times.

The government said it was worth at least $1.5 million.

Flag of Brazil, by Jorge Eduardo

Flag of Brazila painting of the Brazilian flag, is on display on the ground floor of the presidential palace.

The work was found drenched in water after protesters flooded the ground with fire hydrants.

O Pied Piper, by Bruno Giorgi

The bronze sculpture, valued at almost US$48,000, was destroyed and the pieces were scattered around the third floor hall of the presidential palace.

Wooden sculptures by Frans Krajcberg

Wooden sculpture by Frans Krajcberg. (GETTY IMAGES).

The protesters broke the wooden branches of this piece and threw them away.

The value of the piece is estimated at more than US$47,000.

Kubitscheck work table

It was the piece of furniture used by President Juscelino Kubitscheck (1955-1960), the Brazilian leader who ordered the construction of Brasilia.

The government said the table was used as a barricade by protesters. An evaluation of his general condition has not yet been carried out.

Showcase table by Sérgio Rodrigues

The glass window of the screen, which contained information about the acting president, was broken.

Balthazar Martinot Clock

The 17th-century clock by Balthazar Martinot (1636-1714), Louis XIV’s watchmaker, was a gift from France to King Joao IV, who ruled Brazil and Portugal.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

9) pic.twitter.com/F0VKQaCPB1

– Carlos Alberto Jr. (@cajr1569) January 8, 2023

There are only two Martinot watches like this in the world, according to the Brazilian government.

“The other is on display at the Palace of Versailles, but it is half the size of the piece that was completely destroyed by the invaders,” the government said in a statement.

An art specialist consulted by the BBC assured that the damage is irreparable.

Source: Elcomercio