In January 2012, a painting by the artist Cosme San Martin was brought to the Restoration Workshop of the Universidsad de los Andes for conservation-restoration work. The oil on canvas painting, measuring 216.5 cm high and 142 cm wide, signed and dated in 1889 and owned by the National Mining Society (SONAMI), had been on exhibition in the offices of this entity since mid-1991, in the belief that it was a portrait of Jose Santos Ossa Vega, a successful Chilean entrepreneur known for his important work in the exploitation of nitrate. No one expected the outcome that would occur a few weeks later when the restorer in charge doubted the identity of the portrait, requesting and investigation that would put an end to the historical confusion, with the results showing that the painting was of another important mining entrepreneur, Nazarion Elguin Leiva.