The ransom of Atahualpa

During his first years as a student in Paris, Carlos Baca-Flor decided to undertake historical compositions referring to Peru. Probably inspired by the example of Luis Montero, the artist dedicated a number of studies to the subject of the capture and ransom of Atahualpa, taking as his starting point some sketches made during his short stay in Lima, between 1887 and 1890. In this case, the rescue scene takes on a theatrical air, not only because of the characters’ demeanor, but also because of the dramatic light and the lively and effective brushstrokes that so characterized this youthful period. (RK)