Moderne en hedendaagse Cubaanse kunst online

Cuban Art: A Dialogue of History and Identity

This auction aims to showcase key moments in the broad trajectory of Cuban artistic creation, spanning from colonial times to the present day. The works and artists featured in this sale showcase the pivotal moments that define the island's creative and social processes:

Art in the Colonial Period (16th–19th Centuries)
Cuban colonial art was heavily influenced by European trends, particularly Spanish ecclesiastical and neoclassical styles. During the economic boom of the 18th century, driven by sugar and tobacco cultivation, a Creole elite emerged, commissioning secular works that moved beyond exclusive religious themes. Artists like Vicente Escobar stood out for their portraits, capturing the transition toward a Creole identity. The establishment of the San Alejandro Academy in 1817 further solidified art education on the island.

In the 19th century, rural and urban landscapes gained prominence, with elements such as palm trees, tiled roofs, and French shutters becoming visual symbols of Cuban identity. Romanticism, with its poetic idealisation of nature, was exemplified by artists like Esteban Chartrand (1840–1883). Realism also flourished, capturing everyday life with authenticity in colour and light, as seen in the works of Antonio Rodríguez Morey (1872–1967), Juan Gil García (1876–1932), and Domingo Ramos (1894–1956). This period laid the foundation for the emergence of a national artistic identity.

The Cuban Avant-Garde and the Search for Identity (20th Century)
In the 1920s, Cuban art shifted toward modernity, breaking away from European and American models. The first wave of the avant-garde was marked by reinterpretations of Cubism, Surrealism, and Expressionism, adapted to Cuban realities. Artists like Víctor Manuel (1897–1969), Amelia Peláez (1896–1968), and lesser-known figures such as Evelio García Mata (1908–1984) explored Afro-Cuban roots and local traditions. Meanwhile, the urban genre painting of Oscar García Rivero (1916–1971) documented Havana's daily life.

In the 1940s and 1950s, the second wave of the avant-garde delved into political and social themes, influenced by international movements such as Surrealism and Abstraction. Artists like Wifredo Lam (1902–1982), René Portocarrero (1912–1985), Mario Carreño (1913–1999), and Mariano Rodríguez (1912–1990) led a generation that fused local and global perspectives, addressing national identity through experimental approaches. Groups such as Los Once and 10 Pintores Concretos introduced abstract and geometric art in Cuba. Key figures like Raúl Martínez (1927–1995), Hugo Consuegra (1929–2003), and Luis Martínez Pedro (1910–1989) championed non-figurative art, countering the dominant social realism with a deep formal exploration.

Art and Revolution (1959 Onward)
The Cuban Revolution marked a turning point, transforming art into a tool for propaganda and social reflection. Institutions like Casa de las Américas and the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC) promoted artistic development and cultural dissemination. The artists emerging in the 1970s were among the first graduates of new revolutionary educational institutions, such as the National Art School (ENA).

This generation began experimenting with new visual languages, exploring religious syncretism, Afro-Cuban heritage, and local flora and fauna while integrating political and social elements into their work. Prominent artists such as Ever Fonseca, Nelson Domínguez, Pedro Pablo Oliva, Flora Fong, Manuel Mendive, and Tomás Sánchez exemplified this synthesis of local and global influences.

The 1980s and Contemporary Art: Rupture and Experimentation
The 1980s ushered in an aesthetic and conceptual renewal of Cuban art. Influenced by global and local changes, artists like José Bedia, Flavio Garciandía, and Tania Bruguera adopted conceptual strategies, performance, and installation art to explore identity and social critique. Collectives like Arte Calle and Grupo Provisional challenged institutional norms, expanding creative possibilities with a critical and experimental focus.

International exhibitions such as Kuba OK in the 1990s gave Cuban art greater visibility, solidifying it as a reflection of the island's historical and cultural tensions. This era saw a refined poetic approach, with an emphasis on craftsmanship. Syncretic themes, humour, and satire were revisited alongside metaphors and intimate works. Significant changes also occurred in graphic arts and photography, with limited editions incorporated into installation projects, giving them new creative dimensions.

Notable figures from this period include Roberto Diago, Los Carpinteros, Alexis Leiva (Kcho), Belkis Ayón, Abel Barroso, Estéreo Segura, and Cirenaica Moreira, among others.