O Mequetrefe, an illustrated periodical, was first published in Rio de Janeiro in 1875, and continued in circulation until 1893. In its history, political issues were dealt with through irreverent illustrations and commentaries. On its pages the main political changes during Imperial Brazil were announced, such as the abolition of slavery and the end of the Empire itself after the Declaration of the Republic. During its lifetime, O Mequetrefe published news and opinions on Republican ideas divulged by its supporters at the Imperial Court. By the end of the 1880s the periodical defended changes in the government of Brazil. The main purpose of this article is to investigate which positions at that time were directed toward Republican matters until the Declaration of the Republic. Another issue to be addressed in this article is how the Republic -through female allegories and its enthusiasts - was represented in the artistic representations by cartoonists and in the opinions of the publication's collaborators, which likewise was dedicated to humor and satire.
Republic; Illustrated press; Rio de Janeiro; Female allegories
