Self-portrait Mexico
James Brown was an American-born painter active in Paris and Oaxaca, Mexico. He was most well known in the 1980s for his rough painterly semi-figurative paintings, bearing affinities to Jean-Michel Basquiat and East Village painting of the time, but with influences from primitive art and classical Western modernism. His work has taken on several styles over the years but maintains a hand-made look combining concerns of the modernist tradition with motifs and spiritual interests from tribal art. Much of his work is a non-realistic but contains depictions or signs of recognizable faces or objects. However, the line between representation and abstraction is often a difficult one in his work. Besides paintings Brown has also produced sculptures and series of prints at various points in his career, and in the 1990s started to heavily utilize collage.
Alfredo Castañeda was a Mexican surrealist painter.
Castañeda had been interested in painting and drawing since childhood, but first became an architect, earning a degree in architecture from the University of Mexico. During his studies, he continued to paint as a hobby, which he became more and more serious about over the years. At university, Alfredo became acquainted with the painter, sculptor and architect Matthias Goeritz, as well as the work of René Magritte. Both played a huge role in the young artist's worldview.
After his studies, Castañeda worked as an architect and in 1969 had his first solo exhibition at Galeria de Arte Mexicano. His work has also been shown internationally numerous times in the United States and in many Latin American countries, including Mexico. His work is collected in collections and museums throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Alfredo Castañeda is known for his surrealist paintings, often portraits. The same character appears in many of his paintings, sometimes revealed in multiple versions of himself. This person (often resembling the artist himself) seems to be engaged in an endless dialog with himself, involving the viewer as well.
Gerardo Murillo Cornado, also known by his signature "Dr. Atl", was a Mexican painter and writer. He was actively involved in the Mexican Revolution in the Constitutionalist faction led by Venustiano Carranza. He had ties to the anarchosyndicalist labor organization, the Casa del Obrero Mundial.
Frida Kahlo de Rivera was a Mexican painter, renowned for her captivating self-portraits that blend realism and fantasy. Born Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón on July 6, 1907, in Coyoacán, Mexico City, she is celebrated for her profound exploration of identity, postcolonialism, gender, and class within Mexican society. Kahlo's works are a fusion of naïve folk art style and surreal elements, deeply influenced by Mexican popular culture and her personal experiences of chronic pain and disability.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including polio in her childhood and a catastrophic bus accident at 18, Kahlo's resilience and passion for art were undeterred. Her marriage to the famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera was both a romantic and artistic alliance. Kahlo's paintings, such as "The Two Fridas" (1939) and "Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird" (1940), are not only masterpieces of visual art but also compelling narratives of her life's trials and triumphs.
Kahlo's artistry extended beyond the canvas, as she was actively involved in the Mexican Communist Party, and her home, La Casa Azul, is now the Frida Kahlo Museum, a place of homage for her admirers. Although her work was not as widely recognized during her lifetime, Kahlo's legacy has grown tremendously, making her an icon for various social movements and a beacon in the art world.
For collectors and art experts, the journey into Kahlo's world is both a dive into Mexican cultural heritage and an exploration of the profound human experience. If you're passionate about Frida Kahlo's work and want to stay informed about related product sales and auction events, sign up for our updates. This is not just a subscription; it's an invitation to celebrate and own a piece of art history.
Xavier Timoteo Martínez was a pivotal figure in the California art scene of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1869, Martínez moved to the United States, where he became a celebrated painter known for his tonalist style, monotypes, etchings, and silverpoint works. His early years were marked by a deep engagement with art, leading him from drawing his classmates in public school to studying pre-Columbian archaeology and painting an oil copy of Titian's "Entombment" at the Liceo de Varones. Martínez's journey to the United States was fostered by the U.S. consul Alexander Coney and his wife, Rosalia LaBastida, who brought him to San Francisco in 1893.
Xavier Martínez's artistic and teaching career flourished in California, where he co-founded the California Society of Artists and taught at the California School of Arts and Crafts. His work was featured in numerous exhibitions, including the Panama Pacific International Exhibition, and his influence extended through his teaching and writings on art history. Xavier Martínez's personal life was intertwined with his artistic journey; he married Elsie Whitaker, with whom he had a daughter, Micaela Martinez DuCasse, who also pursued an artistic career.
Xavier Martínez's legacy is preserved in various museums, reflecting his significant contributions to the Californian and American art landscapes. His work, deeply influenced by his Mexican heritage and his experiences in California, offers a unique perspective on the natural and cultural environments of his time.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Xavier Timoteo Martínez's paintings represent a crucial chapter in the history of American art, particularly within the context of the Tonalism movement and the artistic developments in California during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
To stay updated on exhibitions and sales featuring Xavier Timoteo Martínez's work, consider signing up for newsletters from galleries and museums that hold his pieces. This subscription will keep you informed about opportunities to appreciate and acquire works by this remarkable artist, ensuring you remain connected to the evolving landscape of historical and contemporary art.
María del Carmen Mondragón Valseca, also known by her pen name Nahui Olin, was a Mexican artist, model and poet.
Carmen Mondragon was associated with the avant-garde movement, known for her unconventional lifestyle and outspoken nature. Her contributions to Mexican modernism and her role as muse to famous artists and writers further cemented her status as a cultural icon.
Nahua Olin's personal life and relationships were equally unconventional. She had affairs with famous artists, including Diego Rivera and Gerardo Murillo (Dr Atl), which influenced her artistic expression and worldview. Her exploration of love, desire and identity through her art and personal experiences has made her a symbol of female empowerment and sexual liberation.
