Portuguese sculptor. He was trained at Braga which, since the end of the 16th century, had replaced Coimbra as principal supplier of religious sculpture. Between 1723 and 1725 he carved an important series of statues for the Convent of Santa Maria, Arouca, in northern Portugal; each was 2 m high and made of stone, not wood as was customary in this region. He did not adopt the Baroque style here but retained the spirit of monastic art in the tradition of the 17th century. This series depicts female saints of the Cistercian and Benedictine Orders, together with Queen St Mafalda, patron of the Convent of Santa Maria, Arouca. It was placed in niches high on the walls of the nave and choir of the convent church. The figures are posed, with slightly twisted torsos. The stylised folds of their habits fall tightly against their bodies, slightly undulating as if blown by the wind, and their shoulder-length veils stand out in sharp contrast. The faces reveal the artist's preoccupation with carving variety and giving expression to each statue. Vieira also carved a kneeling Virgin of the Annunciation in the same church. //