O Barão do Rio Branco na revista ilustrada O Malho (1902-1912)

Abstract

On December 3, 1902, José Maria da Silva Paranhos Júnior, the Baron of Rio Branco, took the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil. Recognized by diplomats and historians as one of the most important Brazilian political figures, Rio Branco spent most of his tenure time on issues related to demarcation of national borders, on the consolidation of the Americanization process and on the pursuit of Brazil’s regional hegemony in South America. Shortly before Rio Branco’s took office in September 20, 1902, appeared in the city of Rio de Janeiro, the Federal Capital of Brazil, The llustrated magazine O Malho. Considered one of the most important Brazilian magazines, O Malho survived for over half a century, having as its main target the representation the country’s political life through caricature. Reportedly patriot, O Malho found in Rio Branco the character conducive to represent the homeland ideas from when it sought to build a Brazilian nation image in the collective imagination. Being the territory at that moment, fundamental basis for the construction of a sense of national unity, the Rio Branco working to consolidate national boundaries, the time it acted through Americanism in ensuring the sovereignty and projecting Brazil internationally, served as support for civilizing purposes and modernizing from Malho. Of all the characters who made the caricaturists busy, Rio Branco was certainly one of the most featured. Having been madee possible by the same historical moment, O Malho accompanied Rio Branco throughout his political career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs until his death on 10 February 1912. In this context, the aim of this study is to examine how the Baron was depicted in caricature as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil for the illustrated magazine O Malho.