Art + Art history

Portrait of my Family by Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo: Portrait of my Family

Frida Kahlo painted “Portrait of My Family” throughout her life, illustrating her cherished relatives and her emotional losses. After a serious bus accident at 19, bedridden Frida turned to art for solace, supported by her family’s care and adapted tools. The author connects with Frida’s resilience during their own challenges, finding strength and self-expression in creativity and community support in the midst of personal struggles with their son’s autism.

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General in front of a window in 18th century Puerto Rico

“El Gobernador Don Manuel Antonio de Ustáriz” by Afro-Puerto Rican artist, Jose Campeche

The perspective view of San Juan’s Fortaleza Street in the portrait of El Gobernador Don Manuel Antonio de Ustáriz from 1792 is Puerto Rican artist José Campeche’s affectionate tribute to his native city. It is also a portrait that reveals the history of Puerto Rico during the latter part of the 18th century.  Who was

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dark skinned man looking to the side with a red floppy hat

Puerto Rican Woman Artist – Amalia Cleto Noa- Women’s History Month

When you think of 19th century Puerto Rico, the artist that comes to mind is  Francisco Oller. But there was a trio of artists who were sisters who formed part of the artistic community at that time. I am talking about Amalia, Asunción and Magdalena Cleto Noa.  Art education in Puerto Rico begins with three

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uplifted arms of various skin tones in chains

Abolition of Slavery Portfolio: “1873-1973” by Puerto Rican artist, José A. Rosa Castellanos

Jose Rosa’s work, 1873-1973, is part of a series of nine prints commemorating the centennial of the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico.  Description of image The image consists of seven uplifted intersecting arms of varying skin tones, each with a chain around their wrist as their hands form fists. All around the arms, as

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black woman with large afro surrounded by gold arch

“Lawdy Mama” by Barkley Hendricks: Art about Being your True Self as a Natural Beauty

While touring European museums and churches in the ’60s, a 21-year-old Barkley Hendricks was struck by the lack of black presence in Western art. This inspired his now best known works: life-sized paintings of black people in empowered, classical depictions. These were friends, relatives and strangers, originally from his hometown of Philadelphia, that communicated a new assertiveness and pride among black Americans.

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