Summary

Image depicting a Yaghan family in a canoe. The glass plate was probably purchased by Australian Anthropologist Sir Walter Baldwin Spencer while in Punta Arenas [Magallanes] in 1929. The image was taken by C. Veiga, a famous local photographer whose studio in Magallanes and images are well-known in the region.

Frank Hurley, another well-known photographer, wrote in 1916, 'The splendid studio and dark room of Senor Veiga have been placed at my disposal unreservedly, and I have made the utmost use of them. The fine shop contains the latest in photographic equipment. The assortment of delicate mountings, albums, plates, papers and sundries, exceeds those purchasable in Sydney. This is surprising when one considers that Punta Arenas is about 6 days steam from Buenos Ayres, and with the exception of a convict settlement at Ushuaia, is the most southerly town in the world.' [From Frank Hurley's diary 8th Sept 1916 reproduced in Shackleton's Photographer 2001 by Shane Murphy p 220]

Physical Description

Full size with some silvering of emulsion. Depicting family group in a canoe, Chile. Glass plate sleeve which originally housed the plate has a photographer's imprint in blue: 'C. Veiga Foto Punta Arenas Magallanes.'

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