by Rohini G.

Let’s explore the riveting stories and enduring legacy of some Hispanic artists, many of which are available to borrow from the Art Education Collection.

Pablo Picasso, one of the most iconic artists and innovators of the 20th century, is responsible for co-founding the entire Cubist movement. The 1936 Spanish Civil War profoundly affected Picasso, the expression of which culminated in his painting Guernica after German bombers carried out a devastating aerial attack on the Basque town of Guernica.

Next, we look at the powerful and captivating Frida Kahlo. She is celebrated in Mexico for her attention to Mexican and indigenous culture and by feminists for her depiction of the female experience and form. Born in 1907, Kahlo experienced several tragic events: polio at age 6, and an accident at age 18.
Her famous painting, Girl From Tehuacán, Lucha Maria, depicts an innocent pretty girl who seems to get lost in the desert. The background of this portrait is divided into night and day. This is a common background Frida liked to use in some of her other paintings.

In 1929, she married artist and activist Diego Rivera, a relationship that would prove tumultuous.
Diego Rivera is most famous for his murals, which pay tribute to Mayan and Aztec imagery. The calla lily was celebrated by Rivera many times (one example is the 1943 oil on canvas Calla Lily Vendor). He often included calla lilies in frescoes that depicted peasants with indigenous features carrying bundles or offerings of them.

Joan Miró Ferra, painter, sculptor and ceramist, was born in 1893 in Barcelona. The son of a goldsmith, Miró grew up in a commerce-oriented family. When he was fourteen, his parents sent him to business school. Miró simultaneously enrolled himself at the local art academy. It was only after Miró became seriously ill that his father allowed him to resume his art studies. Between 1907 and 1918 he experimented with various styles and used the landscapes of the Catalan villages as inspiration for his work. His Passage of the Divine Bird is the final painting in a larger Constellations series and seems to communicate a sense of harmony and balance.

Hispanic artists have left an indelible mark on the art world. Today, their contributions stand as a testament to the richness and complexity of Hispanic culture, ensuring that their artistic voices continue to echo across generations.

Rohini is the Adult Curriculum Specialist with HCLS. She loves literature and rainy days.