New Research Unearths Forgotten Figures of Tenerife’s Cultural History
Researcher Carlos García has published two new monographs, supported by the La Laguna City Council, to document the overlooked historical contributions of artist Benjamín Sosa y Lugo and photographer Mariano Murga Villalonga to Tenerife’s cultural heritage.
Efforts to preserve local history in the Canary Islands have received a significant boost thanks to new research by physician and former Los Sabandeños member Carlos García. As reported by El Día, García has released two monographs that bring two influential, yet often overlooked, figures from Tenerife’s past back into the spotlight: artist Benjamín Sosa y Lugo and military officer and photographer Mariano Murga Villalonga. Supported by the La Laguna City Council, this project highlights the importance of documenting lives that helped shape the island’s culture but had largely faded from historical records.
The study of Benjamín Sosa y Lugo (1882–1960) offers a glimpse into the versatility of early 20th-century artisans. His work went far beyond easel painting, encompassing restoration, mural decoration, and the creation of traditional carpets for Corpus Christi celebrations in La Laguna and La Orotava. His influence can still be seen in landmarks like the Leal Theatre and various local churches. By gathering testimonies from family members, such as his grandson Alejandro Togores, García has begun to catalog an artistic legacy that was previously scattered and undocumented.
The research on Mariano Murga Villalonga (1878–1920) provides a unique look at the social and military life of Tenerife’s capital at the turn of the century. A cavalry officer who served as an aide-de-camp to six captains general, Murga was also a talented amateur photographer. His archive, preserved by his descendant Guillermo de la Barreda, offers more than just a record of military hierarchy; it includes a remarkable discovery: some of the earliest color photographs ever taken in the archipelago, dating back to 1915 and 1916.
These publications are significant because they link the history of major institutions—such as the Real Club Náutico and the Círculo de Bellas Artes—to the individuals who quietly helped build Tenerife’s identity. With over thirty works now to his name, García continues his dedication to local history and folklore, turning private archives and old photographs into a public narrative that helps today’s residents better understand their cultural roots.