Mariano Felipe Paz Soldán, Tambo de la Joya and Pampa de Islay, 1865, Lithograph on Paper

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This lithograph sheet offers two views of the southern Peruvian landscape, issued in 1865 as part of Mariano Felipe Paz … Read more This lithograph sheet offers two views of the southern Peruvian landscape, issued in 1865 as part of Mariano Felipe Paz Soldán’s *Atlas Geográfico del Perú*, the first comprehensive atlas of the nation. Printed in Paris by Lemercier, the atlas combined maps, plans, and views, capturing the geography and daily realities of Peru at a time of modernization and global trade expansion. The upper view shows the *Tambo de la Joya*, a small settlement and resting station situated in the Pampa de Islay. A flag flies above the modest stone and adobe structures, while walls mark the perimeter. Such tambos served as waystations for travelers and merchants crossing Peru’s arid coastal plains, highlighting the infrastructure that supported movement between inland cities like Arequipa and the Pacific ports. The lower image depicts the *Pampa de Islay*, a vast and arid plain extending toward the horizon. Sparse vegetation and scattered groups of travelers or animals appear in the distance, emphasizing the stark and challenging nature of the landscape. This scene contrasts sharply with the bustling coastal ports also depicted in Paz Soldán’s atlas, underscoring the variety of Peru’s terrain and the resilience required to traverse it. By recording these remote areas, Paz Soldán provided a fuller understanding of the logistical and environmental realities of 19th-century Peru. Today, these lithographs stand as rare historical documents, showing both the built environment of small settlements and the expansive emptiness of the pampas.

Condition report: Very good condition. Wide margins preserved, plate mark clearly visible. Light age toning and a few minor foxing spots, primarily in the margins, not affecting the images. See less