Fine Art

Retratos: 2,000 Years of Latin American Portraits

By Adela Brito

Friday, February 11, 2005

Currently at El Museo del Barrio in New York City, Retratos: 2,000 Years of Latin American Portraits, a look at Latin American art and history. The span of 2,000 years is represented – from Mayan culture artifacts to works from contemporary Latin American artists.

Present at this exhibition are works in the form of portraits, artifacts, and other media from Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the United States. Ceramics from ancient Peru and the Mayan culture are displayed as well as current portraits, self and satirical, representing the state of the world today.

Many pieces reflect the religious origins of these nations as well as the influences of Spain, Portugal, and France – the ruling powers of centuries ago. These portraits preserve the memory of patriots, persons from high society, and capture scenes from everyday life.

Of course, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, the most famous artists from Latin America, are represented. Kahlo’s “Self Portrait With Thorn Necklace” and Rivera’s “El Pintor Zinoviev” are on display.

For me though, contributions from the less famous caught my eye. The portrait of Simon Bolivar, the liberator of Columbia and Peru, created by Jose Gil de Castro in 1830 was quite impressive. From Mexico, Abundio Rincon’s 1853 very lifelike portrait of Fray Francisco Rodriguez drew my attention.

Puerto Rico’s Francisco Oller y Cestero’s 1891 “La Escuela del Maestro Rafael Cordero” impressed me most. On the evening of my visit to Retratos, I was among the last to leave this exhibit. I stared in silence at this piece for a long time. The teacher and each child in this piece were created with such vivid detail; I almost expected to hear noise from the children in this large, true to life scene. It was that powerful.

This exhibit is a collaborative effort between El Museo del Barrio, San Antonio Museum of Art, and the National Portrait Gallery – Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Retratos: 2,000 Years of Latin American Portraits will be on exhibit at El Museo del Barrio in New York City until March 20, 2005. For more information on museum hours and this exhibit, visit El Museo del Barrio