The studies on the Academy of Fine Arts of Rio de Janeiro: historiographical context, historical omissions and new perspectives

The article presents a general framework for understanding the Brazilian historiography of the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts and the National School of Fine Arts, pointing the most important theorists, principal tendencies and lacunes. Still brings a panorama of international studies on the academies of art, focusing on major authors and their works. The article finally suggests some relevant theoretical premises to the understanding of the functioning of the Brazilian Academy.