Juan Mochi

He began his artistic studies in his hometown and set up a studio there, achieving some local fame doing paintings in Greco-Roman and Renaissance style.

Later, he moved to Rome, where he came to know the Chilean politician, Ángel Gallo Goyenechea [es], who would play a decisive role in his career.

[1] Later, Mochi would be recommended as a replacement for Ernesto Kirchbach, the Director of the Academy of Painting (Santiago, Chile), who was resigning due to poor health, and he was hired by the novelist Alberto Blest Gana, who was serving as the Chilean Ambassador in Paris.

[1] As a Professor, he emphasized spontaneity, in contrast to Kirchbach's aggressive approach and the classical conservatism of the Academia's first Director, Alejandro Ciccarelli.

[2] He continued to paint prolifically; including portraits, landscapes, religious works and scenes from the War of the Pacific.