“I owe myself to the hobby in Montevideo”. Two calligraphic pictures by Juan Manuel Besnes e Irigoyen as sources towards the Montevidean literate culture of the first half of the 19th century

Abstract

The analysis of two calligraphic pictures by Juan Manuel Besnese Irigoyen in 1828 and 1829 is the trigger to approach the use of some written and iconographic sources available to the Montevidean literate community of the first half of the 19th century. In the case of Besnes, these literary sources fulfilled a pedagogical function in his performance as a school teacher, and also evoked his relationship with the Brotherhood of Charity. But, advancing on the early production of the calligrapher, we can approach it as a case study, as a member of this literate community in its links with some of its members, in its participation in cultural and scientific activities. It also allows us to approach the existing libraries in the city, the book trade and the circulation network of printed materials and information. From this perspective its production constitutes a source to date barely addressed.