Marcos Segundo Maturana Molina (February 15, 1830 – May 18, 1892) was a Chilean military and

art collector A private collection is a privately owned collection of works (usually artworks) or valuable items. In a museum or art gallery context, the term signifies that a certain work is not owned by that institution, but is on loan from an individual ...

. Given his service in the

War of the Pacific The War of the Pacific (), also known by War of the Pacific#Etymology, multiple other names, was a war between Chile and a Treaty of Defensive Alliance (Bolivia–Peru), Bolivian–Peruvian alliance from 1879 to 1884. Fought over Atacama Desert ...

against Peru and Bolivia he is regarded a

war hero A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. The original hero type of classical epics did such things for the sake o ...

by the Chilean army. Maturana is known for organising the National Museum of Paintings of Santiago, currently known as the National Museum of Fine Arts of Santiago de Chile.

Family and studies

He was the eldest son of independence era general Marcos Maturana del Campo and Francisca Molinas Berben; Single and without offspring. He studied at the Núñez School in Santiago, Chile. On Saturday, July 2, 1844, at age 14 he entered the ''Military School''.

Military career

On September 18, 1848, he was awarded the rank of sub-lieutenant of artillery. On April 20, 1851, in the so-called Urriola mutiny he defended the headquarters of Artillery of Santiago, under the orders of his father. In this case, he was seriously injured in the chest. For his conduct in these events, he was granted the ascent of

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

, and later, in 1854, he was promoted to

sergeant major Sergeant major is a senior Non-commissioned officer, non-commissioned Military rank, rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. History In 16th century Spain, the ("sergeant major") was a general officer. He commanded an army's ...

. In 1858, he had health problems and in 1861 he rejoined the army. In October of that year he was appointed first assistant of the General Inspection of the National Guard and in 1862 he became a lieutenant colonel. On September 25, 1865, he assumed as Commander of Arms of the Constitution and later on November 16 he was appointed ''Governor of the Constitution'' and participated in the war against Spain, defending the coast of the province of Talca. On February 28, 1866, he assumed as commander and organizer of the 11th Line Battalion and participated in the Araucanía campaigns. July 12, 1867 he was appointed by President

José Joaquín Pérez José Joaquín Pérez Mascayano (; 6 May 1801 – 1 July 1889) was a Chilean lawyer, diplomat, and politician who served as President of Chile from 1861 to 1871. Born in Santiago to an aristocratic family, Pérez studied humanities at the Rea ...

, his Aide-de-camp. Later in 1869 he was Aide-de-camp of President

Federico Errázuriz Zañartu Federico Marcos del Rosario Errázuriz Zañartu (; April 25, 1825 – July 20, 1877) was a Chilean political figure. He served as the president of Chile between 1871 and 1876. Biography He was born on 25 April 1825 Santiago to Francisco Javier ...

and before the War of the Pacific he was Aide-de-camp of President

Aníbal Pinto Garmendia Aníbal is the Spanish and Portuguese masculine given name equivalent of Hannibal (q.v.), itself a latinization of the Greek name Hanníbas (Ἁννίβας), derived from “ḥnbʿl” in the Carthaginian language (Carthaginian Punic script, � ...

. In 1868, he was a member of the Commission that repatriated the remains of the father of the Chilean homeland, General Bernardo O'Higgins. May 15, 1879, he was appointed

General Director A director general, general director or director-general (plural: ''directors general'', ''general directors'', ''directors-general'', ''director generals'' or ''director-generals'') is a senior executive officer, often the chief executive officer ...

of the Maestranza and Artillery Park and on October 1, of the same year he was appointed Commander of the forts and batteries of

Valparaíso Valparaíso () is a major city, Communes of Chile, commune, Port, seaport, and naval base facility in the Valparaíso Region of Chile. Valparaíso was originally named after Valparaíso de Arriba, in Castilla–La Mancha, Castile-La Mancha, Spain ...

. Shortly after he resumed command of the ''Maestranza de Santiago'' and it was his responsibility to quell the fire that occurred in these facilities on January 27, 1880.

War of the Pacific

The

war of the Pacific The War of the Pacific (), also known by War of the Pacific#Etymology, multiple other names, was a war between Chile and a Treaty of Defensive Alliance (Bolivia–Peru), Bolivian–Peruvian alliance from 1879 to 1884. Fought over Atacama Desert ...

began and on August 27, 1880, he was promoted to brigadier general. On September 29 of the same year he obtained the appointment of Chief of the General Staff, rank with which he participated in this war. He was with

José Francisco Vergara José Francisco Vergara Echevers (1833-1889) was a Chilean politician, war hero, cavalry commander, presidential candidate, engineer and journalist who was notable for founding Viña del Mar as well as his several military campaigns of the War o ...

, where they participated in the battles of Chorrillos and Miraflores on January 13 and 15, 1881. In 1881, he returned to

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, stretching along a narrow strip of land between the Andes, Andes Mountains and the Paci ...

and returned again to the direction of the ''Maestranza''. On June 14 of the same year he was appointed Commander of the forts and batteries of

and on July 31, 1881, he organized the National Museum of Paintings of Santiago, currently known as the National Museum of Fine Arts of Santiago de Chile. On January 4, 1883, he ascended to

General of Division Divisional general is a general officer rank who commands an army division. The rank originates from the French Revolutionary System, and is used by a number of countries. The rank is above a brigade general, and normally below an army corps ...

and in 1889, on July 23, he retired from the

Chilean army The Chilean Army () is the land arm of the Chilean Armed Forces. This 80,000-person army (9,200 of which are conscripts) is organized into six divisions, an army aviation brigade and a special operations brigade. In recent years, and after sever ...

Legacy

Maturana General for years he dedicated himself to the acquisition of works of art such as

ancient weapons This is a list of notable types of weapons that were used in warfare, and more broadly in combat, prior to the advent of the early modern period, i.e., approximately prior to the start of the 16th century. It therefore excludes objects that may b ...

, Inca archeological pieces, European porcelain, cologne items and paintings of different Chilean and foreign painters.
On July 31, 1880, together with the Florentine Juan Mochi, the sculptor José Miguel Blanco and the young painter Enrique Swinburn Kirk, the beginnings of the National Museum of Paintings, which had been formed with 140 works of art. This museum was inaugurated on September 18, 1880, becoming part of the Chilean patriotic festivities of this year. He was a brave soldier with natural ability. He had served in the campaigns in which he participated, excelling in the war actions of 1851 and 1880, which made him ascend rapidly on the military staircase; this allowed him to occupy important military positions. He remained forever in Chilean memory as one of his war heroes. Art was his great passion and the "Institute of the Public Instruction Council" received the ''Maturana General Prize'' in 1882 that lasted until great economic depression of 1930.Illustrated Workshop January 2, 1888
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maturana Molina, Marcos Segundo 1830 births 1892 deaths Military personnel from Santiago, Chile Chilean people of Spanish descent Portrait painters Heads of state of Chile Chilean Army generals People of the 1851 Chilean Revolution Chilean people of the War of the Pacific

Family and studies

Military career

War of the Pacific

Legacy

See also

References