| Ricardo
Martinez (Mexican, 1918 - )
(b Mexico City, 28 Oct 1918; d 1983). Mexican painter. He came
from a family of artists and was self-taught. He initially concentrated
on landscapes and metaphysical themes, as in The Astronomer (1944;
priv. col., see Bonifaz Nuño, fig. 5). However, the figure
of the Indian was a constant element in his production of large-format
paintings. Indigenous male and female figures are set dramatically
against dark backgrounds; their semi-illuminated bodies are emphasized
by the use of a single pure colour, such as blue, red or orange
(e.g. The Sorcerer, 1971; Mexico City, Mus. A. Mod.). These colossal
images draw their inspiration from Pre-Columbian hieratic sculpture,
and their highly individual use of colour and fine draughtsmanship
distinguish Martínez from his contemporaries.
To Artist Showroom
|
