Antique lithograph view of Puerto de Islay, Peru – 1865
This original lithograph presents a striking 19th-century view of Puerto de Islay, the coastal settlement in southern Peru that served as the principal port for the city of Arequipa before the rise of Mollendo. Published in 1865 in Mariano Felipe Paz Soldán’s Atlas Geográfico del Perú, this image belongs to the first comprehensive atlas of Peru, a monumental work issued in Paris that combined cartography with topographical views of cities, ports, and landscapes across the country.
The composition emphasizes the dramatic rocky shoreline of Islay, with its sheer cliffs descending into the Pacific Ocean. A cluster of buildings can be seen along the top of the cliffs, including warehouses and dwellings, representing the modest but strategic development of the port. On the rocks closer to the shore, small whitewashed structures testify to the maritime activity that made Islay an important hub for regional trade in the mid-19th century. The use of sepia tones, a typical feature of lithographs from this series, heightens the rugged atmosphere of the scene and conveys both the isolation and the economic promise of the port.
Historically, Puerto de Islay was vital as the gateway for commerce to Arequipa, Peru’s second city, located inland. Goods including wool, textiles, and agricultural produce were exported through Islay until the port of Mollendo was constructed in the 1870s, after which Islay’s prominence declined. Today, the lithograph serves as a valuable record of a transitional moment in Peruvian maritime history, preserving the image of a port that once connected southern Peru to international markets.
Condition report: Good condition. Mild age toning and a few small foxing spots in the margins, not affecting the image. Strong impression with wide margins and visible plate mark. A few tears but well outside the image.
Framing tips: A natural wood or walnut frame paired with a cream or sand-colored mat will enhance the warm sepia tones of this lithograph. To highlight the maritime subject, a double mat with a fine navy-blue inner border would provide contrast and depth.
Technique: Lithograph with tint stone Maker: Mariano Felipe Paz Soldán, Paris, 1865
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