Why did Brazilian Romantic writers celebrate the natural landscape of Brazil?

Brazilian Romantic writers celebrated the natural landscape of Brazil primarily as a means to foster a sense of national identity and pride following the country's independence from Portugal.1

By glorifying the exuberance of the tropical environment and the mythical life of the "noble savage," these writers sought to invent a distinct national past that was not overshadowed by colonial control. This focus on the land and indigenous heritage—often referred to as Indianism—served to enhance the nationalist spirit and formulate the ideology of the Brazilian national state.1

This trend was deeply rooted in the aesthetics of European Romanticism, which encouraged the elevation of the homeland as a central theme in literature. By portraying the Brazilian landscape as a unique and majestic setting, Romantic authors helped distinguish Brazilian culture from its European origins, creating a patriotic image that became central to the country's literary expression.1