Can a bronze bust whisper secrets of revolution? Here at the Busto de Bartlet James, in Praça Saens Peña, it seems to do just that. The Busto de Bartlet James isn’t just a hunk of metal. It’s a tribute to Bartlett George James, a federal deputy and senator. He was married to the revolutionary Nuta Bartlett James and a key figure in the tumultuous political landscape of early 20th-century Brazil. The bust itself was commissioned by the Movimento Libertador da Terra Carioca. This group championed the political independence of the then Federal District, later to become Guanabara State. Their cause stemmed from the federal intervention in the city’s government in 1937. The Busto de Bartlet James has witnessed a bit of history itself. Initially unveiled in 1952, the original pedestal bore a more detailed plaque. This plaque honored James’s involvement in the revolutionary movements of ’22 and ’30, as well as his leadership in the fight for the Federal District’s emancipation. During the metro construction works in 1976, the bust was removed and stored. It reappeared 20 years later, perched on a new pedestal. The new plaque simply read “Bartlet James.” Even this simpler inscription has since been lost to time. So, as you stand before the Busto de Bartlet James, consider the echoes of revolution and the battles fought for political autonomy. This bust represents more than just a man; it represents a turbulent era in Rio’s history.
General Osório Statue
Here stands General Osório. He is not just any statue. The General Osório Statue embodies Brazil’s intricate relationship with its