Escola de Belas Artes (School of Fine Arts) is one of the centers of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and dates back to colonial times.

A royal letter of Nov 20 1800 by John VI of Portugal established the Aula Prática de Desenho e Figura in Rio de Janeiro.

It was the first institution in Brazil systematically dedicated to teaching the arts.

During colonial times, the arts were mainly of religious or utilitarian nature and were learnt in a system of apprenticeship.

This Brazilian university, college, or tertiary institution related article is a stub.