Pedro Américo (1843–1905) was a preeminent Brazilian polymath and a leading figure of the Academic Art movement. A child prodigy, Américo’s immense talent earned him the patronage of Emperor Dom Pedro II, who financed his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. There, he trained under masters like Ingres and Cogniet, refining a style that seamlessly blended Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Realism. Américo is best known for his monumental historical canvases, most notably Independence or Death! (the "Ipiranga Shout"), which remains a defining image of Brazilian national identity. His work is characterized by dramatic composition, heroic figures, and an intellectual depth that reflected his simultaneous career as a scientist and philosopher. Translating Américo’s grand history paintings and soulful portraits into cross stitch provides a rewarding challenge for the dedicated stitcher. Each project allows you to recreate the sweeping scale of his narratives and the luminous, academic precision of his brushwork, turning a historical masterpiece into a personal heirloom.