Julio Escámez Mural Erased by Pinochet Reemerges in Chile After 50 Years

In Chillán's city hall, a significant mural created by Chilean artist Julio Escámez, which was destroyed by Augusto Pinochet's military regime in 1973, is being revealed. The Municipality of Chillán's Heritage Unit (UPA) has been meticulously restoring it since 2021, carefully removing 12 layers of white paint. Titled "Beginning and End," the mural was commissioned by Mayor Eduardo Contreras Mella in 1969 and finished in 1972, covering 452 square feet. It symbolized the victory of the people over oppression and was unveiled by Mayor Ricardo Lagos Reyes prior to Salvador Allende's visit. After the coup, the mural was ordered to be destroyed, prompting Escámez to flee to Costa Rica. In 2021, the University of the Arts discovered remnants of the mural beneath the paint, contradicting earlier rumors of tar or bayonets. The restoration is slated for completion in December 2027, and the city now believes the title may refer to two artworks, with the second depicting women with a telescope. Both murals were declared National Monuments in 2024.