Images and explanatory texts in sociological research: theoretical notes to read the Picturesque and Jistorical Journey to Brazil by Debret (1768-1848)

Abstract

The relationship between images and words is delicate, and many artists have used words to explain their visual works the History of Art all along. In the 19th century, especially, the artists were worried about describing their images with wealth of details, mainly by the dissemination of the genre voyage pittoresque (picturesque voyage) throughout Europe, whose pages came full of engravings and clarifying texts. Jean Baptiste Debret (1768-1848), who lived in Brazil between 1816 and 1831, also published a book, under the title of Voyage pittoresque et historique au Brésil, where, at the side of each engraving, the artist placed a description. The reading and interpretation of a workmanship as of Debret demand to take in consideration innumerable aspects, which will not be contemplated in this article. Our proposal here is to supply theoretical elements to deal with a aspect of it, that is the junction of image and text as constituent form of the work of art, in this case, the book Voyage Pittoresque et historique au Brésil.