Unidad ydistinción: el eclecticismo en santiago en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX

The eclectic trend arrived in Chile about the middle of the XIX century thanks to the strengthening of human and cultural exchange between the New and Old Continent. It was rapidly adopted by the élites for the construction of their new mansions called "palaces", and it became the visual symbol of supremacy inside the Chilean society while promoting a renovation of the city. The use of eclecticism resources permitted the members of the wealthy classes not only to differentiate from each other but also to be distinguished as a homogeneous social group in front of the remaining sectors of the population. At the same time, it represented an attempt to position as an international level élite by adopting the lifestyle of the European ruling class.