SÃO FRANCISCO AND THE STONE WAYS

Abstract

During the Brazilian colonial era, stones were used locally primarily in construction and stonework, but also, to a lesser degree, as a material for sculpture works supplementary to architecture. While in general the Lioz limestone expanded this use, in Salvador in particular this stone was extensively used in decoration, together with other Portuguese stones. The use of this particular material is illustrated in the São Francisco Church and Convent and investigated in this paper with the purpose of establishing a timeline for these stones. Starting from their European origins – not limited to Lisbon but connected to this capital – the use of these stones takes on a universal character, which also includes Brazil, and which gives us the opportunity to assess the cultural importance and technical tradition of works that enrich our heritage.