The Mission
This photograph pays tribute to Juan Uscha, the last remaining ice merchant of Chimborazo, and supports the preservation of his ancestral craft by donating 50% of the proceeds to him and his family.
$ 246
Material: German canvas, 100 % cotton, 430 g/m².
Size (width x height):
33 cm x 20 cm.
Streched on frame: Yes.
Framing: Available upon request with an additional quote. Three options to choose from.
Certificate of authenticity: Included in an envelope. Available in Spanish or English.
Home delivery - Quito and surrounding valleys: No additional charge.
Home delivery - rest of the country: Custom shipping quote required.
International shipping: Available upon request. Custom quote required.
$ 349
Material: German canvas, 100 % cotton, 430 g/m².
Size (width x height):
56 cm x 35 cm.
Streched on frame: Yes.
Framing: Available upon request with an additional quote. Three options to choose from.
Certificate of authenticity: Included in an envelope. Available in Spanish or English.
Home delivery - Quito and surrounding valleys: No additional charge.
Home delivery - rest of the country: Custom shipping quote required.
International shipping: Available upon request. Custom quote required.
$ 645
Material: German canvas, 100 % cotton, 430 g/m².
Size (width x height):
78 cm x 50 cm.
Streched on frame: Yes.
Framing: Available upon request with an additional quote. Three options to choose from.
Certificate of authenticity: Included in an envelope. Available in Spanish or English.
Home delivery - Quito and surrounding valleys: No additional charge.
Home delivery - rest of the country: Custom shipping quote required.
International shipping: Available upon request. Custom quote required.
HIS STORY
THE GUARDIANS OF THE ANCESTRAL ICE
Since at least the 17th century, there are records of the ice harvesters of Chimborazo — men who climbed the slopes of the volcano to cut blocks of ice from its glaciers. At over 4,000 meters above sea level, and with the help of donkeys, they transported the ice to the markets of Riobamba and nearby villages, where it was highly valued for preserving food, making artisanal ice creams, or for medicinal purposes.
This work required strength, endurance, and a deep knowledge of the mountain. For generations, it was an essential part of the local economy and Andean daily life. However, with the arrival of industrial ice, the trade slowly began to disappear.
ONLY ONE REMAINS
Juan Uscha, son-in-law of Baltazar — once known as the last ice merchant of Chimborazo — now stands as the only remaining guardian of this ancestral craft in Ecuador. His labor is not just the harvesting of ice from the volcano’s slopes; it is an act of cultural preservation, keeping alive a tradition that has shaped the identity of our land and the memory of our communities. Yet this work, despite its deep cultural significance, is not fairly compensated. Supporting him is vital, so that this legacy endures and continues to inspire future generations.
