AN ICONIC IMAGE

Patagonian chief. Punta Arenas, Chile. Circa 1895.

Vintage photographic work. Silver gelatin print. Measurements: 15 x 11 cm. Negative intervened with the handwritten legend: "198. Cacique Patagón". Work in good condition. It is displayed framed.

The Tehuelche Mulato Cacique or "Chumjaluwun" in his original language, is an emblematic figure in the history of that ancient Patagonian people. Researcher Osvaldo Mondelo-author of the well-known work "Tehuelches-Danza con Fotos" (2012)-has investigated the figure of this tribal leader for years and is currently about to publish a book with his complete biography.

He was the last Tehuelche chief of the Chilean region of Magallanes and exercised authority over a hundred members in that community with lands bordering Argentina. The aggressive livestock colonization gradually took away his land. Mulato had a reserve of 10,000 hectares and a herd of more than 400 equines with his own brand. He complained in person about these abuses even with President Germán Riesco himself, but to no avail.

Of the abundant photographic iconography of him, this is definitely the best known portrait of him. He poses on a Thonet chair in the studio of the Spaniard Cándido Veiga in Punta Arenas and has a blurred forest landscape as a background. He is wrapped in a thick and warm guanaco skin blanket and holds his long hair with a white headband.

We believe that his lost gaze towards an infinity point is perhaps the best visual document on the terrifying certainty of the destiny of his ethnic group. In turn, the portrait refers us to the notable iconography of the American photographer Edward Sheriff Curtis (1868-1952) on the retreat of the native tribes of North America.

We appreciate the information provided by Osvaldo Mondelo.