Jul 19, 2005 - Congonhas

The motivation for going to Congonhas was to go and see the twelve prophets at the church of Bom Jesus do Matozinho. These are decsribed as one of Brazil's best works of art, and were sculpted by it`s most celebrated sculptor Aleijadinho. Aleijadinho (Portuguese for "Little Cripple") He suffered from a debilitating, crippling disease which is thought to have been either syphillis or leprosy. During his career he lost his fingers and toes, and the use of his lower legs. By the time he sculpted the prophets he had to get his assistants to...