The American Landing at Ponce

In 1898, United States troops invaded the island of Puerto Rico to end centuries of Spanish occupation on the island. They strategically disembarked in the southern coast, where a bustling economy due to maritime trade and smuggling gave rise to a popularly-held anti-Spanish sentiment. This painting, by little-known artist Manuel, Cuyàs depicts American troops landing at Ponce's old harbor, one of the most populated towns of the time. Based on a photograph, the artist used hyper-realistic detail to produce one of the only visual documentations of the events leading up to the US takeover of the island, which ended with a peace treaty effectively taking away Spain's last remaining colonies.