ALL PREGNANT IMAGES OF SELARON STAIRCASE

The most recurring figure on the Tiles of the Selarón Staircase is that of a pregnant black woman with exposed breasts. This image is also constantly present in the paintings of the artist Jorge Selarón. Jorge never revealed in public the origin of the image, he said it was a personal problem.

One fact that would explain this image may have been the death of his wife and the child he carried, which he left behind.

In most of these images, the woman is accompanied by a tribute on behalf of someone. The names are from friends, artists, composers, athletes, etc.

There are also, in the representations, many tributes to artistic compositions and movements (mainly important Brazilian movements, such as Bossa Nova and Jovem Guarda). The list goes from Chiquinha Gonzaga, Roberto Carlos to even Dom Pedro I (composer of the Independence Anthem)

The work was referred to by Selarón himself as a madness, a crazy dream. He said he would finish it only on the day of his death, which happened in 2013. He was found burned in front of the staircase.

The artist’s story, full of mysteries, left a unique work, a symbol for the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Our Rio de Janeiro City Tour and Rio de Janeiro Bike Tour include the Selarón Staircase. You can access these tours here and here.

To access the articles about birds, teams and stairway navigation tiles, click here, here and here respectively!

Do not forget! Bring a camera or cellphone to register your favorite tiles. The staircase is on R. Joaquim Silva, S / N, between the neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Tereza.