Classical Tradition in the Celebrations of the Centenary of the Republic of Chile (1910)

Abstract

During the celebration of the Centenary of the Republic of Chile in 1910, the ruling elites made efforts to project internationally a successful image of the country, despite the serious socioeconomic problems of most of the population. This article isolates the several uses of classical tradition intended to reinforce that discourse, very influenced by certain Eurocentric vision of modernity, as well as the French artistic trends. After a brief review of the 19th Century background, we analyze the ideological functions of the Graeco-Latin aesthetics, symbology and topics in celebrations, iconography, monuments, public buildings, exhibitions, and political debates related to this commemoration in a key moment of national evaluation and affirmation.