From the Hinterland to Sepharad: iconography of the architectural imaginary of the Sephardic Atlantic diaspora.

• Grant number: 25/02396-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: July 30, 2025
• End date: July 29, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning
• Principal Investigator: Artur Simões Rozestraten
• Grantee: João Lucas Vieira Nogueira
• Supervisor: Jose Antonio Gonzalez Alcantud
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo (FAU). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidad de Granada (UGR), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/14406-0 - Sephardic crypto-Judaism architectural iconography as a construction and reinterpretation of a Brazilian underground history: interactions with the collaborative platform Arquigrafia, BP.PD

Abstract

The ongoing research seeks to develop a collaborative architectural iconography of Sephardic crypto-Jewish cultural elements present in the contemporary Brazilian Northeast and the interior of São Paulo, as part of the Arquigrafia 4.0 project. Since its inception, the study has identified crypto-Jewish elements within the Sephardic architectural context of São Paulo, particularly in the so-called "Bandeirista Houses," as well as symbolic motifs in vernacular structures in the interior regions of Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of Marrano influences in Brazilian vernacular architecture, it is essential to adopt a holistic perspective, viewing architecture as both a constituent and constitutive element of culture. This approach necessitates intersemiotic exchanges and translations, situating these architectural expressions within the semiosphere of their respective locales.As the research progressed, it became evident that establishing connections between crypto-Jewish traces and the enduring Moorish-Iberian elements in Portugal and Spain is crucial. Such a comparative analysis aims to delineate cultural heritages and contributions. To facilitate this, an expedition to ancient Sepharad-the historical setting of centuries of Sephardic presence-is deemed essential. This endeavor will expand the necessary repertoire for understanding the Sephardic semiosphere in Brazil, thereby enriching the scope of the hypotheses proposed and enhancing the identification of the sought-after elements.The research objectives have been advanced through the development of an iconographic database within the Arquigrafia platform. This tool serves not only as a repository for collected data but also as a means of disseminating and publicizing the findings of the study. By leveraging this resource, the project aims to foster broader engagement with and recognition of the Sephardic architectural legacy in Brazil. (AU)