Magazine Instantáneas de luz i sombra in the history of the Chilean literary criticism

Abstract

The history of the Chilean literary criticism often begins with the name of Andres Bello as the first prominent figure. In some cases, there are searches of critical testimonies in the colonial literature. In other cases, a distinction is made between the decimononical critique (known as “literary commentary”) and the professional criticism of the 20th century, which started with Omer Emeth towards 1906. This article states that, between the 20th and Omer Emeth, there exists a transition process within which the emergence of the literary and artistic magazine Instantáneas de luz i sombra plays a crucial role. In that weekly paper, a critical exercise is observed, this goes from the most basic commentaries towards the maturity of written critical practice that shows signs of advanced professionalization.