Paper short abstract

Contrary to common belief, the first reports about Brazilian Indians had repercussions in Europe’s cultured circles. An early 16th century painting kept at the Louvre Museum in Paris, until now virtually ignored by specialists, shows the figuration of a Brazilian Indian as one of the Magii.

Paper long abstract

Contrary to common belief, the first reports about Brazilian Indians had repercussions in Europe's cultured circles. An early 16th century painting kept at the Louvre Museum in Paris, until now virtually ignored by specialists, shows the figuration of a Brazilian Indian as one of the Magii.

Altough not of a Portuguese, but certainly connected to Portuguese imperialism, this captivating body says something about the power of images and the way they circulated in early 16th century Europe. How is it related to the Portuguese activities and presence around the globe? What does it reveal about the political, social, and economic interests that were at play in Central Europe by then? The aim of this paper is to try to shed some light on these fascinating questions.