O ideário iluminista no passeio público de mestre Valentim

Abstract

Both the conception and first drawings of the Passeio Público do Rio de Janeiro, one of the most important public gardens during the 1700 's, consubstantiated the illuminist ideas of the 18th century. The Passeio Público was a part of the governmental plans of dom Luís de Vasconcelos for the capital of the vicekingdom. The basis for such project was the urbanization plan developed by marquês de Pombal for Lisbon, which translates the illuminist concepts of public civility, progress, health and well-being. According to those premises, the choice of site, and its use for sanitation and expansion of the urban premises to the south were determined. On the other hand, its original project, created by mestre Valentim da Fonseca, greatly resembled the baroque garden, specially the Queluz Garden. Most of its sculptural and architectural elements revealed the 18th illuminist ideas, including the terrace built for contemplating the sea.