The True Poetry: The Art of Maria Izquierdo

Rating:
Summary: Mexican Woman Visionary
Review: This book was published in conjunction with Maria Izquierdo's second exhibition in New York, her first being in 1930 when she was the first Mexican woman to have a solo exhibition in New York. Presented by The Americus Society, over which David Rockefeller is the honorary chairman, the exhibition which toured from 1997-98 was to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Art Gallery of The Americus Society. The works featured by Maria Izquierdo are fine, mostly color with some black and white reproductions , exemplifying her masterful technique and exquisite eye for detail. The works cover the four decades in which she painted, the 1920's through 1950's with the 1940's being her most productive. You will see her circus paintings of which she was very fond, her self portraits, her unique Mexican cultural glimpses and her surrealist works. Her works are full of vivid displays of color that resulted in many dubbing her style more "Mexican" than her female contemporary Frida Kahlo. Besides the beautiful reproductions there are three essays that discuss approximatley 25 plates each. Of particular note is the essay by Elena Poniatowski who covers her late period in which Maria was working despite a series of health restricing problems. Ultimately these health problems sent her to the grave at an early age. She died one year after Frida Kahlo at age 53 in 1954. All of the essays are interesting, cover different times of her life and are very revealing . She was a woman much like Frida Kahlo, who was ahead of her times in terms of being independent, persuing an art career dominated by men and liberated from the restrictions tradionally imposed by society. As you read you can just imagine the interaction she and Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo must have had as they painted , lived and loved together. Her associations with other contemporary writers and artists, including Tina Mondotti, Antonin Artaud, Lola Alvarez Bravo and Frida Kahlo among others is also documented and her renowned parties discussed. She was woman of her age who set the stage for future generations to follow. An excellent book that is bilingual and highly recommended for art students. It comes complete with a selected bibliography for future and more extensive reading.