Artist
Artist Juan Rosado was born in 1891 in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico. Although he was a prolific painter (painting mostly landscapes and island dwellers of his day, many of his works have disappeared. La Espera (The Wait) is one of the few “portraits” that remain.
Real life location that inspired the artwork
Painted in 1933, the backdrop of La Espera, is Puerta de Tierra, a working class neighborhood located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The site of government buildings, Puerta de Tierra was also home to Rosado’s art studio where many renowned 20th century Puerto Rican artists trained.
Description of work
Longingly looking out at this subbarrio, is our subject, a woman standing under the door frame, her outfit perfectly put together, her back to the viewer. With her curvy graceful figure, her arms form an s-curve, one hand leaning on the door post and the other traveling back to herself, on her hip. Here she waits, patiently, in a play of light and shadow.
Although Rosado sought to define Puerto Rican identity through the realistic representation of “Puerto Rican types”, there is a timelessness in this image very much in line to similar art about waiting. See next image by Winslow Homer.
Interpretation
In La espera, it’s almost as if she were an actress rehearsing her lines backstage, the door frame doubles as a curtain and our lady waits for her cue to walk on stage. Painted more than 80 years ago with a particular setting in mind, she is us, now, waiting patiently for our kew to step out onto the world stage.
At one time or another we have all been pulled into a dress rehearsal for a play we didn’t audition for. However, this woman’s readiness and sense of expectation is what speaks to me the most about this painting. She’s standing by…not in her pajamas or sweats, but fully dressed, herself in transition. With her fancy billowing sleeves and secretary pencil skirt, she’s perched between party and work wear, ready for either or both, or whatever role awaits her when she is called.
Reflection
Are you in a time of waiting? What are you waiting for? What are you doing while you wait? How are you waiting? Do you have a sense of expectation? It could be scary to step out into this world of a stage not knowing what is expected of you. Our ability to adjust makes all the difference. And maybe, if we all wait in this manner, like the woman in this painting, positive for the future, fully outfitted, ready to take on whatever role is needed…all will be okay.
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