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Council

Rafael Coronel

Artwork Details

Council
circa 1951-1987
Rafael Coronel
oil on board
11 13/16 in x 19 11/16 in (30 cm x 50.01 cm);16 1/4 in x 24 in (41.28 cm x 60.96 cm)
Joseph and Mildred Hartsook Collection
1987/1.164

Description

Subject Matter:

Mexican artist Rafael Coronel was a figure painter interested in portraiture, often expressive frontal compositions, and the representation of characters, theatrical gestures, and spatial ambiguity, all seen here. The dark gloominess and the figures represented are similar to Coronel's painting Concilio Familiar (ca. 1960). In the 1950s, Coronel's art became more abstract, depicting faces geometrically in his portraits. Later, in the 1960s, he embraced abstract expressionism. Coronel was influenced by European artists Goya, Rembrandt, Ucello, and Vermeer. 

Physical Description:

A group portrait of three figures shown from the chest up, against a black background. An older man faces forward, in the center, with gray hair and a gray beard. The person to his right faces and stares intently at him. The person to his left appears younger, has tousled hair and gazes off to the side.

Usage Rights:

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