Father António Vieira, Statue and memorial in Misericórdia, Lisbon, Portugal
Padre António Vieira is a metal statue standing in Largo Trindade Coelho, in the Misericórdia neighborhood of Lisbon, Portugal. Created by sculptor Marco Telmo Areias Fidalgo, it depicts the Jesuit priest in an upright posture, surrounded by three child figures.
The priest António Vieira was born in Lisbon in the early 1600s and spent much of his life in Brazil as a missionary. He became known for defending the rights of native peoples and for his powerful spoken and written works.
The statue shows Vieira with one hand resting on his shoulder, surrounded by three small children, two boys and one girl. The size difference between the figures makes the power relationship between the priest and the native children visible, something visitors often pause to reflect on.
The statue stands in Largo Trindade Coelho, an open square close to the church of São Roque, easily reached on foot through the narrow streets of the neighborhood. There are no opening hours since it is an outdoor public monument, accessible at any time.
The statue was put in place in 2017 following a competition, and it has since become a focal point for debates about Portugal's colonial past. In 2020, it was covered in red paint with the word 'decolonize' written on the children's figures, showing how divided opinions remain around this monument.
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