Objective/context:

The article studies the political cartoons dedicated to elevating the triumphs of the Chilean Army and Navy during the Guerra del Pacífico, published in the Chilean satire newspapers El Barbero, El Ferrocarrilito, El Nuevo Ferrocarril and El Padre Cobos. Visual representations created and reproduced a nationalistic, warmongering tone, reinforcing the perception of Chilean superiority in the conflict. Later this superiority was confirmed by the victories of Chile’s military campaign.

Originality:

The Guerra del Pacífico, namely its causes, development and consequences, has been studied from a diplomatic and military perspective. Previous work has not gone into depth on socio-cultural actions of civil society, including the satirical newspapers in general, and the engravings and verses commenting on the conflict specifically.

Methodology:

Three steps were taken to decode the cartoons. First, the pre-iconographic description, which is referred to the “natural meaning” of the subjects, objects and situations. Then, the iconographic study, which allows to single out the represented event. The iconological interpretation followed and the engraving was placed in its historical and material context, thus seeking its essential meaning.

Conclusions:

This article shows how the satirical newspapers constructed the image of the Chilean military success by taking advantage of the discursive and aesthetic flexibility of the political cartoon, embracing the national cause, and highlighting and glorifying the triumphs. Through satire, its writers, illustrators, poets and editors collaborated in the creating a self-portrait of a nation superior to Peru and Bolivia.

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