Aleijadinho Sculptures

THE ALEIJADINHO (The Cripple), was the name FRANCISCO ANTONIO was known as in LISBON, a sculptor, carver and architect, whose amazing work can be admired when you visit Ouro Preto. The ALEIJADINHO was born in Villa Rica in the year 1730 and died in the year 1804. He made sculptures in many materials, from wood to soapstone, a Brazilian construction material, also known as "soap stone" for its malleability. Most of his art is representative of BRAZILIAN COLONIAL and in his works there are ROCOCO characteristics, as well as style and GOTHIC CLASSIC. At the age of 40 he began to develop a degenerative disease of the upper and lower area and it is not known whether it was syphilis, leprosy, rheumatism or scurvy.