Miguel Ciera: um demarcador de limites no interior sul-americano (1750-1760)

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the works produced by Miguel Ciera against the backdrop of the Third Delimitation Expedition, which was sent by Portugal to explore the interior of South America between 1752 and 1756. As the astronomer and cosmographer of the demarcation team, this Paduan engineer sailed up Paraguay River all the way to the mouth of Jauru River and there, with his companions, he set the border line, thus substantiating at site the Treaty of Boundaries. It was during this expedition that Ciera gathered information to design his Mappa geographicum quo flumen Argentum, Paranà et Paraguay [...], a beautiful atlas that he later bestowed upon King Joseph I in 1758. In addition to accurate geographic charts, the atlas included depictions of fauna, popular types and landscapes made in pencil and watercolor, forming the first set of images available of that region, which was named Pantanal as from the 18th century. Here, we analyze this specific piece and seek to demonstrate that it was not merely a beautiful atlas; in fact, it was a refined visual document with which Miguel Ciera offered the Portuguese monarch valuable information about the hinterland where the border line was laid.