Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyse Debret's work Voyage historique et pittoresque au Brésil and show that it is marked by the French Enlightenment. The text is divided into four parts, in addition to the introduction and conclusion: the first presents the historical context from which Debret was trained in painting and received the main influences in that art; the second deals with the technical aspects of writing the work; the third touches on the indigenous theme; the fourth problematises the urban chronicle, focusing on the city of Rio de Janeiro; the fifth and final part takes up his central thesis: Debret looks at Brazil from the perspective of the Enlightenment.