“Valparaíso”

"Navegantes: Inspirado en The Tall Ships Races en aguas escandinavas"

Título: “Valparaíso”

Técnica: Acrylic and oil on canvas

Dimensiones: 90 x 90 cms

"Valparaíso," a canvas born from the brush in 2012, emerges as an essential jewel in the kaleidoscope of this exhibition.

Its creation took place within the framework of the masterful "Southern Hemisphere" convocation, an event of the highest distinction, conceived in collaboration with the venerated Embassy of Chile and the master painter Ricardo Silva Cordero. The setting: the elegant Intercontinental Hotel, in the bustling heart of Guatemala City.

My roots sink into the land of Chile, in the blessed cradle of Viña del Mar. There, between the golden sands and the whisper of the Pacific, the first chapters of my existence were woven. But it was in Valparaíso, in its embrace of colors and hills, where I found the true pulse of life.

Oh, dear Valparaíso, you are not just a memory, but a compendium of my own essence. I sweetly remember the days of my childhood, between the mysterious walls of my maternal grandmother's house, the walks to the port that still resonate in my memory, the hills that defy the sky with their rainbow-painted homes, the ancestral footprints of the trams in the streets, and the colorful elevators, tireless guardians that lead to the hearts of the city.

In this work, I seek nothing more than to capture the torrents of emotion that await in the depths of my being for this enchanted city. From the top of a hill, the canvas captures the symphony of the sea and the winding stairs that embrace it, an eternal invitation to the sublime. Its strokes overflow with life and color, with vibrant contrasts and lines that tell ancestral stories. More than a mere painting, it is a tribute, a fervent homage to the very essence of Valparaíso.

You can explore my career as an artist at the following link:

https://www.jimenavarro.com/trayectoria

A little history:

The exact founding date of Valparaíso, Chile, remains shrouded in the mystery of time, although it is presumed to have occurred around the year 1559, when the Spanish conquistadors erected the iconic La Matriz church. However, its true splendor manifested itself at the dawn of the 19th century, when the city became an essential stopover for ships coming from the Atlantic that crossed the fearsome Cape Horn, thus promoting flourishing international trade.

The economic boom attracted waves of European immigrants, primarily English, German, and French, who saw in Valparaíso the promise of business opportunities and a new home. This cultural melting pot was captured in the city's architecture, with buildings that reflected the predominant styles in Europe in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. Among the architectural jewels are the imposing Intendencia building in Sotomayor Square (today the headquarters of the Commander in Chief of the Navy), the picturesque Saint Paul Anglican Church on Concepción Hill, the majestic Ross Palace, home of the German Club, and the splendid Lyon Palace, converted into the Natural History Museum. Likewise, the imposing presence of the San Francisco Church and Convent, in neo-baroque style, crowns the landscape of Cerro Barón.

Currently, Valparaíso stands as an essential destination on the South American panorama.