Museu da Misericórdia

Summary

The video showcases a tour of the Museu da Misericórdia, a cultural heritage site in Bahia, Brazil. Initially a hospital, it has been transformed into a museum that highlights the history and contributions of the Santa Casa da Bahia. The journey through the museum includes historical elements, such as Baroque architecture, a rare statue of Saint George, and a gallery honoring benefactors. Visitors can explore rooms dedicated to the care of abandoned children, a 19th-century pharmacy, and paintings by José Joaquim da Rocha, a key figure in the Baiana School of Painting. The tour emphasizes the rich cultural and historical legacy preserved at the museum.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Museu da Misericórdia, a cultural institution of the Santa Casa da Bahia, was initially built to house the Hospital da Caridade, the first hospital in Bahia, in the 16th century.
• 😀 The museum’s main building was inaugurated in 2006, and its history includes a fountain that was used to collect rainwater for the hospital’s patients and donated to those in need as an act of mercy.
• 😀 Visitors start their journey in the atrium of the museum, which is designed with a central patio, leading them to various exhibition spaces.
• 😀 The sacristy showcases rare Baroque artwork, including Jacaranda wood arcades and a unique statue of Saint George from the 18th century, depicting him without a horse or dragon.
• 😀 The museum also features an Italian-inspired loggia, constructed with a variety of marbles (French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish), showcasing a technique called ‘imbrechamento’ (inlaying).
• 😀 In 1938, the building was declared a cultural heritage site by the National Institute of Artistic Heritage (IPHAN), further highlighting its historical significance.
• 😀 The Noble Hall (Salão Nobre) once hosted meetings for the board of the Santa Casa da Bahia. It is adorned with a golden Baroque altar and an allegorical ceiling that reflects virtues important for decision-making.
• 😀 The Galeria dos Benfeitores (Gallery of Benefactors) honors the donors of the Santa Casa, with some figures depicted holding letters, symbolizing their contributions. Women's representation in this gallery is scarce due to the patriarchal society of the time.
• 😀 The museum’s upper floors include spaces with valuable historical insights, such as the chapel’s altar, 18th-century azulejos depicting past processions, and a statue of Christ made from ivory.
• 😀 One of the significant exhibits is the Roda dos Expostos, a mechanism used to anonymously abandon children in need, with the Santa Casa taking responsibility for their care from infancy to adolescence. This space also features a 19th-century pharmacy and historical records from the hospital.

Q & A

What was the original purpose of the building now housing the Museu da Misericórdia?

The building was originally constructed to house the Hospital da Caridade, which was the first hospital in Bahia, and it functioned as such for over 200 years.

When was the Museu da Misericórdia inaugurated?

The museum was inaugurated in 2006.

What historical function did the fountain in front of the statue serve?

The fountain was used to collect rainwater when the hospital was operational. This water was used for the hygiene of patients and also donated to those in need, fulfilling one of the principles of mercy, which was to provide water to the thirsty.

What is the significance of the Sacristy in the museum?

The Sacristy was used to store liturgical objects and vestments. It was also where the priest and his assistants would prepare for Mass. Notable items in this space include two Baroque Jacaranda wood arcades from the 18th century and a rare statue of Saint George from the same period.

What makes the museum’s Loja (shop) unique?

The Loja features a veranda inspired by Italian architecture, with arches and marble from different countries, including France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The marble was arranged using a technique called 'embrechamento,' where pieces of marble are cut and placed together.

Why was the Museu da Misericórdia recognized by the Instituto do Patrimônio Artístico e Nacional in 1938?

The museum’s building was recognized as a cultural heritage site and granted the title of a World Cultural Heritage site due to its architectural and historical significance.

What was the role of the 'Salão Nobre' (Noble Hall) in the museum?

The 'Salão Nobre' was the space where the provider (administrator) and the administrative board of the Santa Casa da Bahia would hold meetings. It features a Baroque altar and ceiling artwork depicting virtues that the administrators were expected to embody when making decisions.

How did the museum represent benefactors of the Santa Casa?

The museum has a gallery dedicated to the benefactors of the Santa Casa, with portraits of many men (as women were rarely represented due to societal norms) who contributed to the institution's efforts. These portraits often depict them holding an envelope, symbolizing their donation or will.

What is the significance of the 'Roda dos Expostos' (Exposed Children’s Wheel) in the museum?

The 'Roda dos Expostos' was a mechanism used by the Santa Casa to anonymously accept abandoned children. Mothers who could not care for their children could leave them at the wheel without revealing their identity. The institution then took responsibility for the children's care and upbringing.

What is featured in the museum’s space dedicated to the health and care of children?

The space focuses on the care of abandoned children, displaying items related to the 'Roda dos Expostos,' including a pharmacy from the 19th century that was used for medical care. It also features original registration books from the hospital and the children's care system.

What role did José Joaquim da Rocha play in the museum’s art collection?

José Joaquim da Rocha was the founder of the Baiana School of Painting. His artworks, including 14 original oil paintings depicting the procession of firebrands, were commissioned by the Santa Casa and are now displayed in the museum. His works also depict scenes from the life of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.