THE TEACHING OF ARTISTIC DRAWING IN CHILE: 1797-1858 (Synopsis)
By Ignacio Villegas Vergara

The work covers the political, social and ideological environment in which the first art courses in Chile were given, particularly in drawing. The investigation begins on 6 March 1797 when Manuel de Salas founds the San Luis Academy, and concludes in 1858 with the creation of the Academy of Painting. The objectives of the investigation were six: 
1. To review the pertinent documentation showing the motives behind the creation of the first drawing courses in Chile.
2. To distinguish from among the theories, the principal ones that affected the creation of courses in an artistic teaching system.
3. To understand and explain the principal political and social guiding principles in the Chile of 1800 that enabled the start of courses in drawing, to correct historical inaccuracies around the creation of the first initiatives in the area of fine arts in Chile.
4. To know the principal effects for Chile of the creation of artistic drawing courses.
5. To determine the landmarks in the foundation of the first schools offering drawing courses in Chile.
6. To review the initiators of artistic teaching, particularly Manuel de Salas, in order to understand the orientation of their actions in this area.
Qualitative methods were employed, with relationship-type analysis, mixing events with people and ideas. An extensive bibliographical analysis determined the scanty recording of events pertinent to this investigation at the limit of the 18th and 19th centuries, and the absence of research on fine arts teaching in colonial Chile. This has permitted only being able to build up a partial history, with mistakes and inaccuracies, which have led one to believe for years that the teaching of fine arts in Chile begins with the Academy of Painting (1858). This investigation shows the importance of the work of the Spaniards Rodríguez Campomanes and A. Palomino in the ideas that prompted the first course in drawing in Chile. Despite the Spanish and Chilean political upheavals at the times studied, the impact of Spanish ideas lasted for more than 65 years, before then declining with the arrival of the Italian and French influences.
Some important conclusions of the investigation: Epistemological indifferentiation of the concept of art and craftsmanship in 18th Century Chile. Clear Spanish influence at the start of Chilean artistic education. Creation in Chile (18th Century) of the first course in drawing with a replicable methodology. Incorporation in teaching of the mix between art (drawing) and science. An even social valuation of art, craftsmanship and science. Creation of popular artistic teaching. Impact of the ideas of M. de Salas on Chilean teaching in the 19th Century. Low profile of teaching in drawing in the early days of the republic.