A iconologia na representação de São Benedito em acervo de museu

Abstract

This master's dissertation investigates the representation of Saint Benedict, exploring the intersection between iconology and cultural history. The study examines the imagery of the saint using the theories of Erwin Panofsky and Roger Chartier to understand how these representations relate to Afro-Brazilian cultural identity and the saint's role in popular devotion. The work is structured into three main chapters. The first chapter addresses iconology theory, detailing the principles and methods developed by Panofsky, and how these methods can be applied to interpret images of Saint Benedict. The second chapter focuses on the genesis of the saint and the construction of his image, analyzing the canonization process and the presence of Black figures in iconography, based on works by artists such as Jean-Baptiste Debret and Johann Moritz Rugendas. The third chapter presents the iconographic collection of Saint Benedict at the Afro-Brazil Museum, applying a critical analysis of the iconological method to understand the origin and purpose of the pieces. The research aims to answer how power relations influence the iconography of Saint Benedict and how cultural practices shape the saint's representation. The adopted methodology combines cultural history with iconology, allowing for a deep analysis of the images and their impact on the construction of Afro-Brazilian cultural identity. This study contributes to understanding the importance of Saint Benedict in devotional and cultural practices in Brazil, celebrating the 500th anniversary of the saint's birth and offering an enriching perspective on the relationship between history and iconography