Beyond the medallion puzzle. A historical discovery to rewrite the history of Magdalena Ortega and Antonio Nariño

Abstract

Although the research supporting this work presents a global overview of Antonio Nariño as an accountant and as a custodian of public resources, the article is a contribution to the historical controversy over the supposed infidelity of Nariño’s wife, Magdalena Ortega that generated the publication of the book “El enigma del medallón” (The enigma of the medallion), by Carmen Ortega Ricaurte (2000). The discussion of the evidence uses the method of iconography, i.e. treaty or description of images, portraits, statues, etc. For our case, we studied two original engravings that appeared stuck in a printed booklet of 34 pages, signed by Antonio Nariño in his own hand, with the help of leading experts such as Enrique Santos Molano, the highest authority in Nariño today. The results of the research also present new facets of the Precursor of Colombian Independence in terms of his accounting work in the management of public resources.