José Teófilo de Jesus

Although he is known as one of the great names of the Brazilian Baroque, and one of its final artists, details of his life and a full account of his works remain unclear.

[7] De Jesus also painted the ceiling of the nave of the Parish Church of the Blessed Sacrament (Matriz do Santíssimo Sacramento) on Itaparica Island, a short distance from Salvador.

His works in Sergipe include the ceiling and nave of Parish Church of Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd in the municipality of Divina Pastora.

Numerous secular works of De Jesus, which probably date to the early 19th century, are preserved in Bahia Art Museum in Salvador.

[2][3] The extent of the private life of De Jesus is summarized in his marriage record at the Parish of Santana: "José Teófilo de Jesus, pardo [Brown], legitimate son of Antonio Feliciano Borges and Josefa de Santana, born in the city of Salvador, where he married Vicência Rosa de Jesus of Costa da Mina, preta forra [a formerly enslaved Black woman], of Gulf of Guinea region (Costa da Mina), on February 20, 1808; the place of marriage was at the Church of Santana, the age of the painter was not declared.

"[2]He died in Salvador on July 19, 1847,[3] after falling from scaffolding while painting in the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd.