Johann Moritz Rugendas (1802-1858)

There are two other versions of this subject taken from the same point of view, but with differing figures (Diener, 1997, CH-O-12 and CH-O-11), the latter dated 'Valpo Nov. 1838'. 'The present picture is dated on the basis of an old inscription on the reverse '[...] 1844'. It is possible Rugendas painted this picture during his last period in Chile, between October 1844 and January 1845, after having visited Peru and Bolivia and shortly before he left for Argentina.' (Pablo Diener, private communication, August 2007)

We are grateful to Dr Pablo Diener for the above information.