Panorama of the Chilean arts during the second half of the 19th Century: Debates, institutionality, and main figures

Abstract

The Chilean visual-aesthetics scenario during the second half of 19th century was characterised by the presence of some artists of strong leadership and influence. In this regard, the most paradigmatic examples were José Miguel Blanco and Pedro Lira, in whose relation it is possible to perceive the background of arguments and prominence that line up artists as well as other actors of the cultural institutionality. Thus, in under a narrow aesthetic scenario, relatively standardised by an academic grosso modo impression, the disagreements took an important place both in the institutional processes as well as in the writing record. In the context of confrontations, the visions and personal prominence were as important as the aesthetic-ideological differences.