In this engraving of Simon Bolivar, one can make out important inferences on the cultural ideals and norms of Independence-era Latin America. Of particular note, is his style of dress, the background in the distance, the structure he stands in, and the text under the image. Before getting into analysis of the image or text in more specific detail, it is important to note Bolivar’s personal life has heavy influence, of course, on what he would or would not want depicted in a portrait such as this one. Simon Bolivar would have been considered creole (Spanish born in the Americas) and a member of one of the leading families in Caracas, Venezuela. He later went on to living in and around Spain during his adolescent years. Prior to leading his movement of independence, Bolivar was under the tutelage of Andres Bello, an Intellectual who likened the building of a nation to the upbringing of crops in agriculture.
Bolivar’s stance on independence is also important for the sake of analyzing the text under the engraving. His ‘us or them’ attitude towards Patriot support meant that he was, at the time, much more militarily driven as opposed to politically oriented. His sentiment towards Spain in the years leading up to and during the era of Latin American will be discussed in further detail below.
In the caption below is the phrase “Desde este dia la libertad sera indestructible en america, siendo los bellos trofeos de nuestras victorias, los derechos del pueblo, y la soberania de las leyes.” This translates approximately to “From this day forward, liberty will be indestructible in america, being that it is the beautiful trophy of our victories, the right of the people, and the most sovereign of laws.” One can establish from this quote then, that the source of the engraving must have been created after the start of Independence movement in Latin America. Additionally, we find from the text below the picture that this specific engraving is dated later into the era. Specifically in 1827 and was published in London.
To analyze the specific imagery in this print, one must first consider two things. Below the image, is written “Senor General Sir Robert Wilson ‘Retrato mio hecho en Lima con la mas grande exactitud y semejanza”. In english, “Senor General Sir Robert Wilson ‘Portrait I made in Lima with the greatest level of exactitude and semblance”. We can therefore assume that apart from any influence that Simon Bolivar may have had in this image, this can be taken as an accurate representation of the Latin American Patriot perspective.
Firstly and most obviously, is the military attire and regalia that Bolivar is wearing, pointing to his victory-driven demeanor as opposed to diplomatic or compromising behavior. Secondly is the inclusion of the peruvian background in contrast to the decorative curtain, fanciful railing, and tiled floor in the foreground. We know that Bolivar was born into high status, was likely inspired by European design and culture in his adolescence, but nonetheless has his roots Caracas, Venezuela. This could be an expression of his overall life up to this point. Alternatively, if Bolivar had in fact mandated that this depiction of nature be in his portrait, we know that he was tutored by Andres Bello. Bello was a scholar who metaphorically compared the flourishing and upkeep of nature to that of the growth and maintenance of a nation. It’s unclear then whether Bolivar himself would have asked for the inclusion of the natural Latin American landscape, to be contrasted by the posh structure in the foreground, or if the artist made that choice. Additionally we see what are likely subordinate soldiers in that landscape, conveying Bolivar’s ranking over them, and his status/influence within the independence movement overall.
Sources
Simón Bolívar. Libertador de Colombia y del Peru; y Fundador de Bolivia. https://jcb.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/JCB~1~1~1680~2470003:Simón-Bolívar–Libertador-de-Colomb?sort=image_date%2Csubject_groups# ©John Carter Brown Library, Box 1894, Brown University, Providence, R.I. 02912
Wood, James A., and Anna Rose Alexander. Problems in Modern Latin American History: Sources and Interpretations. 5th ed. Rowman & Littlefield, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central.