REPRESENTATIONS OF SLAVERY IN THE ENGRAVINGS OF THE SCENIC TRAVEL RELATIONS AND HISTORIC IN NORTH-WEST BRAZIL DEBRET AND TWO YEARS IN BRAZIL OF FRANCOIS-AUGUSTE BIARD

This paper analyzes and compares some engravings, representing slavery in Rio de Janeiro during the nineteenth century, found in Voyage pittoresque et historique au Bresil (1834) by Jean-Baptiste Debret (1768-1848) and Deux Annees au Bresil (1862) by Francois-Auguste Biard (1799-1882). The different representations of Afro-Brazilian slaves in the city of Rio de Janeiro are compared to excerpts of the texts related to the images. This analysis allows us to demonstrate that the engravings produced by both artists are not only in connection with their relationship with monarchic power during this period but they are also related to the format of the books revealing a certain French vision of Brazil in the nineteenth century.