The old and the new Peru

by Marie Robinson Wright

UNE PARISIENNE. BY ALBERT LYNCH.

The progress of the press in Peru has been most notable during the past few years. El Comercio, which has been a faithful chronicler of the political and social events of the country for nearly three-quarters of a century, still stands at the head as a representative of Peruvian journalistic ethics and enterprise. The same policy which made the paper the exponent of liberty half a century ago,—when it fought a noble campaign in favor of the abolition of slavery, first of the negroes and later of the Indians,—makes it to-day the leader in promoting the highest principles of humanity, advocating the most necessary reforms, and encouraging the best citizenship. Modern methods are employed in its extensive news service and the latest material improvements have been inaugurated in every department. The proprietor and editor-in-chief of El Comercio, Don José Antonio Miró Quesada, is the Nestor of journalism in Peru and is esteemed as the exponent of its most worthy ideals. The press of the republic is represented by about two hundred newspapers, the principal dailies being El Comercio, El Diario, and La Prensa of Lima; La Bolsa and El Deber of Arequipa; El Comercio and El Sol of Cuzco; La Razón and La Industria of Trujillo; though every city and town has its newspaper, and in the larger centres an illustrated weekly is also issued. Many of the leading editors and journalists are prominent in politics and hold important offices in the government. Dr. Felix Castro, the owner and editor of El Comercio, in Cuzco, was secretary of the presidency in the administration of President Serapio Calderon and served his country as propagandist in the United States, where his journalistic talents were of great value in advancing his mission through the New York Herald, Sun, and other dailies.

In painting and music, as well as in literature, Peru has an honored place among American nations, though it is generally the fashion in Peru, as in the United States, to maintain that only in Europe are great masterpieces painted, and that home talent cannot achieve the results possible in the “atmosphere” of the art centres of Paris, London, and Rome. Many of Peru’s greatest artists have their permanent place of residence abroad, and in the art exhibitions, their names appear among those of the most successful painters. This was true half a century ago, when one of the greatest painters of his day was a Peruvian, Don Ignacio Merino, born in Piura and sent to Paris to study art under Monvoisin and Delacroix. In the years 1869 and 1870 he won the highest honors of the Salon, his famous work, Columbus before the University of Salamanca, being among the noted modern masterpieces. The Vengeance of Cornaro, Felipe II. Dying, The Friar Painter, and Cervantes Reading Quixote are well known to connoisseurs and possess superior merit. The illustrious painter died in Paris and was buried in Père la Chaise. He bequeathed his paintings to the city of Lima and they are now in the gallery of the Historical Museum. In the museum also hangs the masterpiece of Luis Montero, another Piura artist, who was educated in Italy and studied under Fortuny. It is entitled The Funeral of Atahuallpa and is notable for the contrasts of stillness and movement, though the Indians are too dark in color and the women too European in type to give a faithful idea of the subject. In the gallery of the museum are historical paintings by Francisco Esteban de Ingunza and other noted Peruvian artists.

Don Luis Bacaflor is esteemed one of the greatest Peruvian painters of the present day. His Head of an Old Man is a celebrated study painted by him several years ago, and he is the author of many other well known pictures. His home is in Paris, where he counts among his friends the leading artists of Europe. The story of Bacaflor’s early struggles and his sturdy patriotism give a peculiar interest to his later successes. When a mere youth, he went to Chile to study his beloved art, giving evidences of the genius which has since developed in all its strength. He won the Prix de Rome, in recognition of which the Chilean government offered to send the aspiring young painter to Europe, that he might have the advantage of the best training of foreign masters. With what a thrill of delight must the student have seen such a prospect open before him! But,—it was impossible to accept the terms, which demanded that he renounce his beloved Peru and become a Chilean citizen. Not a moment did the patriotic young artist hesitate, sending at once the answer which was apparently to cut him off from a brilliant career and the achievement of his dearest ambition. His reward has been a noble one. The Peruvian government in recognition of its gifted and patriotic young citizen, sent him to study under its own auspices, and the result has been an honor to the nation. Albert Lynch, also a Peruvian, a native of Trujillo, is among the famous painters at the French capital. Francisco Lazo, Daniel Hernandez, of Huancavelica, Herminio Arias, the Countess de Beon, Alberto Pareja de Mijares, and Juan Lepiani are names well known in the art circles of Europe, especially in Rome and Paris, where their pictures have been exhibited in the salons. Abelardo Alvarez Calderon, who has won fame as an illustrator, lives in London. There are still a few artists who have remained in their own country, and the illustrative art, as seen in the magazines, gives evidence of superior talent. Don Miguel Miró Quesada is one of the most gifted of the younger generation, his clever sketches and caricatures being an attractive feature of the current periodicals.

The painter, Francisco Lazo, was both litterateur and artist, and the author of the Peruvian national hymn, Bernardo Alcedo, wrote a book on the elemental philosophy of music, besides composing the music of the hymn and a number of masses, a Miserere, and other works. The composer Valleriestra, devotes all his leisure to musical study. Peru has a celebrated cantatrice, Señorita Margarita Alvarez de Rocáfuerte, who has won fame in the European capitals by her divine voice and the sympathy and grace with which she interprets the masters of music. She is young, beautiful, and of artistic temperament, and wins her audience from the first moment. Not long ago, this charming songbird of the Andes received the gold medal in a musical contest in the Royal Academy of London.

The Philharmonic Societies of Lima and Arequipa are flourishing organizations, whose purpose is the encouragement of musical art. The Arequipa society is older and of larger membership than the Philharmonic of the capital, which was inaugurated less than a year ago. The Lima society is composed of patrons and active members, the former contributing funds for the maintenance of the society, while the latter assist in classes and take part in the musical concerts that are given under its direction.

DOLCE FAR NIENTE. BY DANIEL HERNANDEZ.