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Isidora Goyenechea de Cousiño commissioned the construction of Palacio Cousiño between 1870 and 1878 and employed the French architect Paul Lathoud, who in turn patronised the very best European artesans and artists of the era to decorate the Palace, including the painter George Jules Victor Clairin. In 1940 the Cousiño family bequeathed the Palace to the Chilean government, who conserved it as a museum and on occasion used it as accommodation for illustrious visitors.

The Cousiño Goyenechea family were prominent and affluent, owners of the Lota coalmines, the Chañarcillo silver mines and the famous Viña Cousiño Macul vineyard, which still belongs to the family.