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gallery
November 3, 2017

The Mexican Artist Determined to Paint Multidimensional Women

By Shannon Barbour

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Photo: Rufino Tamayo

When Mexican Muralism took hold of the American art scene and artists like Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros garnered praise, Rufino Tamayo’s work fell to the wayside. Much different than the muralists’ controversial political stances, Tamayo focused on integrating Mexican and American culture in his work. Living in New York for over 20 years was incredibly transformative. It was the first time Tamayo saw modern European art in person and became interested in the relationship between modern American architecture and gender. “I think that many foreign artists that came to New York … are drawn to the novelty of seeing the modern working woman in a public space. That was very new for artists coming from different countries,” said E. Carmen Ramos, curator of the Smithsonian’s Tamayo: The New York Years exhibit.

While many artists at the time sexualized women or depicted them as anguished, Tamayo showed their modern, fashionable, and family-oriented sides. In one instance, he paints what is thought to be his wife and himself in a loving embrace while also portraying her mental illness as a caged bird.

The exhibit opens today at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., and will feature over 40 paintings from Tamayo’s time in New York, including scenes from Coney Island. The exhibition is on view through March 2018. Click ahead to preview the exhibit.

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1 / 12 Photos
Woman (Mujer) Rufino Tamayo, 1938, Oil on Canvas, 35 5/8 x 27 5/8 in. The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licensed... Woman (Mujer) Rufino Tamayo, 1938, Oil on Canvas, 35 5/8 x 27 5/8 in. The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY. Digital Image © The Museum of Modern Art/Licensed by SCALA/Art Resource, NY Photo: Rufino Tamayo
Academic Painting (Pintura Académica) Rufino Tamayo, 1935, Oil on Canvas, 25 3/4 x 21 7/8 in. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smith... Academic Painting (Pintura Académica) Rufino Tamayo, 1935, Oil on Canvas, 25 3/4 x 21 7/8 in. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 1966. © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY. Photography by Cathy Carver Photo: Rufino Tamayo
Reaching for the Moon (Mujeres Alcanzando la Luna) Rufino Tamayo, 1946, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 26 in. Private Collection, Courtesy of Christie's. &c... Reaching for the Moon (Mujeres Alcanzando la Luna) Rufino Tamayo, 1946, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 26 in. Private Collection, Courtesy of Christie's. © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY. Photo: Rufino Tamayo
Rufino Tamayo (2 of 2) New York, 1947. © The Irving Penn Foundation Photo: Irving Penn/Courtesy of The Irving Penn Foundation
Carnival (Carnaval) Rufino Tamayo, 1936, Gouache on Paper, 15 x 22 in. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum Purchase Through the Luisita L. an... Carnival (Carnaval) Rufino Tamayo, 1936, Gouache on Paper, 15 x 22 in. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum Purchase Through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2017.22 © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY. Photo: Rufino Tamayo
 Factory Workers' Movement (Movimiento Fabril) Rufino Tamayo, 1935, Oil on Canvas, 22 1/4 x 26 3/8 in. Collection of Brian and Florence Maho...  Factory Workers' Movement (Movimiento Fabril) Rufino Tamayo, 1935, Oil on Canvas, 22 1/4 x 26 3/8 in. Collection of Brian and Florence Mahony. © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY. Photo: Rufino Tamayo
New York Seen from the Terrace (Nueva York Desde la Terraza) Rufino Tamayo, 1937, Oil on Canvas, 20 3/8 x 34 3/8 in. FEMSA Collection. © Tam... New York Seen from the Terrace (Nueva York Desde la Terraza) Rufino Tamayo, 1937, Oil on Canvas, 20 3/8 x 34 3/8 in. FEMSA Collection. © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY. Photo: Rufino Tamayo
The Lovers (Amantes) Rufino Tamayo, 1943, Oil on Canvas, 34 1/4 x 44 1/4 in. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Purchase with the Aid of Funds f... The Lovers (Amantes) Rufino Tamayo, 1943, Oil on Canvas, 34 1/4 x 44 1/4 in. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Purchase with the Aid of Funds from W. W. Crocker. © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY. Photo: Rufino Tamayo
The Pretty Girl (Niña Bonita) Rufino Tamayo, 1937, Oil on Canvas, 48 1/8 x 36 1/8 in. Private Collection. © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licen... The Pretty Girl (Niña Bonita) Rufino Tamayo, 1937, Oil on Canvas, 48 1/8 x 36 1/8 in. Private Collection. © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY.  Photo: Rufino Tamayo
The Family (La Familia) Rufino Tamayo, 1925, Oil on Canvas, 28 3/4 x 33 in. William and Christopher Brumder Collection. © Tamayo Heirs/Mexic... The Family (La Familia) Rufino Tamayo, 1925, Oil on Canvas, 28 3/4 x 33 in. William and Christopher Brumder Collection. © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY. Photo by John R. Glembin. Photo: Rufino Tamayo
Carnival (Carnaval) 1941, Oil on Canvas, 44 1/8 x 33 1/4 in. The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C., Acquired 1942. © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico... Carnival (Carnaval) 1941, Oil on Canvas, 44 1/8 x 33 1/4 in. The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C., Acquired 1942. © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY.  Photo: Rufino Tamayo
Lion and Horse (León y Caballo) 1942, Oil on Canvas, 36 1/4 x 46 1/2 in. Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Washington University in St. Loui... Lion and Horse (León y Caballo) 1942, Oil on Canvas, 36 1/4 x 46 1/2 in. Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Washington University in St. Louis, University Purchase, Kende Sale Fund, 1946 © Tamayo Heirs/Mexico/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY. Photo: Rufino Tamayo
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