Pedro Américo's full name is Pedro Américo de Figueiredo e Melo. He was one of the most well-known artists from Brazil.

Pedro was born on April 29, 1843 in Arela paraiba, Brazil. He began his art study in the Academia Imperial de Belas Artes and then wen to Europe to keep learning art. He also studied under Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Hippolyte Flandrin as well as Carle-Horace Vernet. When he came back to his country, he created the independence or death which is one of his most famous artworks.