I have written many, many times about exhibits at Iturbide's Palace, an 18th century mansion in the heart of the "Centro Histórico". Since 1972 the building has been the headquarters of the cultural foundation of the National Bank of Mexico ("Banamex"). Each year there are several free exhibits at the palace. They are usually very good, and I always look forward to the opening of a new show there. The latest one is devoted to the art of Miguel Covarrubias (1904 - 1957).
Photograph of Covarrubias as a young man
My familiarity with Covarrubias was mainly through the murals he did for some of Mexico City's museums. These murals portray an enormous map of Mexico covered with pictures depicting ancient civilizations, regional handicrafts, or ethnic groups.At this exhibit I learned a lot more about the artist, and found out that he was also a caricaturist and illustrator. He traveled the world, and had a keen interest in geography, ethnography, history, theater, dance, and archaeology.
The large exhibit is divided into themes.
It begins with works depicting Mexican people and scenes...
"Lake Pátzcuaro" 1929
"The Flower Vendor" 1945
"Woman from Yucatán" 1945
"Little Girl with a Cat" 1945
This is one of his most famous satirical pieces.
The subject is a fellow probably from small rural town who is a loyal follower of the ruling political party. (Notice the pin he wears on his lapel.) The government has thrown him a bone probably in the form of some minor bureaucratic position.
In 1923 Covarrubias moved to New York City where he immersed himself in the jazz clubs of the Harlem Renaissance. He produced many works based on his experiences and friendships there.
"Jazz Orchestra" 1923
"Black Woman in a Blue Hat and Dress" 1927
"Carmen Jones" 1944
"Carmen Jones" was a 1943 Broadway musical (later made into a movie) that reimagined the opera "Carmen" with an all black cast set in the U.S. during World War II.
While in New York, Covarrubias did many cover illustrations for magazines such as "Vanity Fair", "Vogue" and the "New Yorker".
"Babe Ruth"
"Greta Garbo"
"Herbert Hoover"
"Mussolini"
Other scenes of life in the U.S.
"Switchboard" 1930
"A Summer Afternoon at Coney Island: Native Fauna Observed by Covarrubias" 1929
"California or Bust"A depiction of migrants escaping the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression
This painting from 1942 is called "United Nations". It shows the Allied leaders during World War II.
FDR, Churchill, and Stalin are very recognizable in the front row.
"Disney's Light-Hearted Ark, Afloat in a Wild World" 1937
"William Shakespeare & Metro Goldwyn Mayer" 1936 The Bard is portrayed as a Hollywood director. Behind him are movie stars Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard who had the lead roles in the 1936 film version of "Romeo and Juliet".
In the 1930s Covarrubias and his wife took two trips to the Indonesian island of Bali. He was enchanted by Bali, and those journeys inspired in him what was to become a life-long interest in ethnography... the study of other cultures. He recorded the people, landscapes and traditions of Bali in his artwork.
"Balinese Choristers" 1934
"Landscape in Bali" 1935
"Portrait of Ayu Ktut" 1935
"Javanese Dancers" 1935
"Balinese Woman"
There is more to come from this extensive exhibit...
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