Visual arts in Cuba encompass a variety of mediums perceived through sight including portraits, landscapes, historical themes, and Afro-Cuban culture. Portraiture has evolved from depicting only the rich and officials to including artists, writers, and ordinary people. Landscapes were initially influenced by Romanticism but later focused more on tropical climates and the inclusion of human figures. Historical themes were once limited to the Spanish viewpoint but after the revolution reflected contemporary events. Allegory and symbolism have incorporated elements of African heritage, best represented by the works of Wilfredo Lam. Contemporary Cuban art continues to explore these themes through various mediums and artists.

1. VISUAL ARTS IN CUBA
Dr. Jorge G. Arocha
Destination Expert
Lecturer on Cuban History & Culture

2. VISUAL ARTS?
Arts that are
perceived by sight

3. • Portraits and Figures
• The Landscape and the city
• Historical Themes
• Allegory, Symbol, Imagination, and
Abstraction
• Afro-Cuban culture
THEMES

4. • Is the most frequent theme in the history of our painting.
• Until 1925 the only individuals portrayed were rich and
government officials.
• In 1925, with the emergence of the first generation of modern
Cuban painters, portraiture radically altered its function. The
models for these new artists were friends, other artists, and
writers.
PORTRAITS AND FIGURES

5. • In the 60’s there was a new relevant function. Besides the
portraits of unidentified persons who symbolize the people, the
images of heroes forcefully emerged. The artists recreated the
faces of Fidel Castro, Ernesto Che Guevara, and other heroes side
by side with the people.
PORTRAITS AND FIGURES

6. Juan Bautista
Vermay
Retrato de hombre

7. Leopoldo Romañach
La niña de las cañas

8. JORGE ARCHE
Primavera o
descanso

9. Alberto Korda
Che

10. Raul Martínez
Te doy una canción

11. Flavio Garciandía
Todo lo que usted
necesita es amor

12. • In Colonial landscape human figures, always played accessory
roles.
• Influenced by Romanticism.
• The idealization of the landscape incorporated the sugar
mill, the living quarter, the servants, and the slaves.
THE LANDSCAPE AND THE CITY

13. • After 1925 the presence of human figures dominated the scene.
The color and light were better suited to depict tropical climates
than the romantic one.
• Small interest most Cuban painters have shown for marine
landscape.
THE LANDSCAPE AND THE CITY

14. Esteban Chartrand
Paisaje marino

15. Esteban Chartrand
Paisaje

16. René Portocarrero
Habana en rojo

17. Luís Martínez Pedro
Serie Aguas
territoriales

18. Sandra Ramos
S/T

19. • Besides biblical subjects the Academy paid special attention to historical
themes.
• The version depicted was the Spanish government’s, never the one held by
those who advocated independence.
HISTORICAL THEMES

20. • During the 1920’s and 1930’s, some allusion to social realities emerged
through the representation of events resulting from a historical situation of
oppression painters had the conscience to denounce.
• With the revolutionary triumph, the contemporary character of the historical
theme, to which painters felt connected, emerged.
HISTORICAL THEMES

21. José Nicolás de la Escalera
La Santísima Trinidad

22. MARCELO
POGOLOTTI
PAISAJE CUBANO

23. CARLOS
ENRÍQUEZ
CAMPESINOS FELICES

24. Servando Cabrera
y Moreno
Milicias
campesinas

25. • Some contemporary painters introduced in their works
symbols of our mestizo condition, emphasizing our
African heritage. The most outstanding instance is
Wilfredo Lam.
ALLEGORY, SYMBOL, IMAGINATION,
AND ABSTRACTION

26. WILFREDO LAM
El tercer mundo

27. Antonia Eiriz
Una tribuna para la libertad

28. Cirenaica Moreira
CONTEMPORARY CUBAN ART

30. Alexis Leyva (Kcho)

33. Abel Barroso

34. Lázaro
Saavedra

36. René Francisco

37. Hasta pronto