Discover the "Signing of the First Constitution Project"

The painting depicts the signing of the first Constitution of the Republic of Brazil, on June 22, 1890, by Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, who was in the center of the painting. It was the end of the Empire and the beginning of the Republic, with Deodoro becoming the country's first president.

With a gold frame, the painting was a tribute from the Sociedade Portuguesa de Beneficência do Rio de Janeiro to the provisional government.

Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca is in the center; the boy next to him is his great-nephew, Mário Hermes da Fonseca, who would become president of Brazil between 1910 and 1914.

The only woman depicted in the painting is Maria Deodoro, wife of Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca.

Among those present were Rui Barbosa (with glasses and moustache), co-author of the first Constitution and Deodoro's minister. A senator from 1890 to 1923, Barbosa was vice-president of the Senate and patron of the House, with a bust of him installed above the Plenary table to this day.

Another present was Benjamin Constant (in profile, glasses and beard), who became Barbosa's minister and senator between 1991 and 1999. 

Marshal Floriano Peixoto (sitting on the left). An active participant in the Proclamation of the Republic, he refused to command the Imperial Resistance. He was the vice president of Deodoro da Fonseca becoming the second president of Brazil after the resignation of Marshal Deodoro.

Quintino Bocaiuva (in profile on the right). He was a great supporter of the Proclamation of the Republic, being the writer of the Republican Manifesto. He was a senator for the State of Rio de Janeiro, and future successor to Ruy Barbosa to the vice-presidency of the Federal Senate.

Several other close aides to Deodoro are also depicted in the painting.