M u s e u m    T o u r

The Royal Costume and the Sceptre

The painting by Pedro Américo de Figueiredo e Melo, known as 'the speech from the throne', shows d. Pedro II on the opening of the national assembly. This event in the  presence of the Imperial Senate and the house of deputies occurred twice a year. The cerimony shown here took place on on the 3^rd of may, 1872. The 'speech from the throne' was the address by the emperor, on the opening and on the closure of the work of the assembly. This was the only occasion when the emperor was seen wearing the crown, the sceptre and royal costume. The painting records important members of the political scenario of the empire, such as the Viscount of Abaeté - Antonio Paulino Limpo De Abreu - President Of The Senate, the Marquis, and later, Duke Of Caxias - Luis Alves De Lima e Silva, Viscount of Rio Branco - José Maria Da Silva Paranhos - President Of The Cabinet and Minister of Finance. In the tribune the empress - d. Teresa Cristina, princess Isabel and Count D'eu. In the background the Marquis of Tamandaré - Joaquim Marques Lisboa.