1888
oil
canvas
From the collection of Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts
Dominant colour
La fundación de Santiago is a 1888 oil by Pedro Lira Rencoret, depicting Colombia, held at Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts.
This painting depicts a scene of people in old-fashioned clothing, with some wearing helmets and holding weapons. They are standing on a rocky hillside, with a mountain range visible in the background. The colors are muted, with shades of brown, gray, and blue dominating the palette. In the foreground, a man in a white robe stands out, while others are dressed in more practical attire. Some are armed, suggesting a sense of tension or conflict. The overall mood is one of solemnity and seriousness. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's eye into the scene. If you're interested in learning more about the artist's techniques, you might want to look up chiaroscuro next.
Pedro Francisco Lira Rencoret (17 May 1845, Santiago – 20 April 1912, Santiago) was a Chilean painter and art critic, who organized exhibitions that led to the establishment of the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts.
See the richer artist page
