As I said previously, the National Museum of Art in Mexico is currently hosting three special exhibitions. The largest of the three showcases the art of Mexican painter Santos Balmori. Balmori was born in Mexico City in 1899 to a Spanish father and Mexican mother. In 1919 he went to Spain to study art, but then moved to Paris where he was exposed to the newest artistic movements.
"Prow" 1935
"Young Rider on the Way to Modernity" 1929
"Beach of Circe" 1935
"Head of a Woman from Mallorca" 1935
Balmori went back to Spain, but on the eve of the Spanish Civil War he returned to Mexico. There he was active in organizing aid for the Republic in its fight against the Fascists. He urged the Mexican government to open its doors to Spanish refugees.
"Civil War" 1935
A prophetic look at what Spain was to suffer under the Fascist rule of Francisco Franco
Throughout the years of World War II Balmori remained an opponent of fascism and did many anti-fascist posters and magazine illustrations.
"Let's Fight for a Free America" 1940
In this magazine cover, Hitler is a monstrous Moses holding the tablets of his commandments:
Thou shalt love Hitler above all other things.
Thou shalt burn.
Thou shalt lie.
Thou shalt rob.
Thou shalt rape.
Thou shalt kill.
In the post-war years, Balmori's style was a decisive break from the more realistic style of the Mexican muralists.
"Three Characters" 1968
"Minotaur" 1965
"Nomads" 1960
"Woman, Child and Cat" 1983
Later in his life, Balmori experimented with geometric works using industrial materials such as mylar and acrylics.
"Nahul Calli II" 1990
Balmori died at the age of 93 in 1992.
I can't say that Balmori's artwork is really my cup of tea. However, it was an interesting exhibit, and learned about an artist that I had never even heard of.
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