DIEGO RIVERA | Mujer Mexicana

Enrique Martínez Moreno, Mexico City
Thence by descent 

Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes, Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, ed., Diego Rivera: Catálogo General de Obra de Caballete, Mexico City, 1989, no. 736, illustrated p. 100

Estado de conservación: Bueno en general. El borde izquierdo e inferior presenta faltantes de capa pictórica de origen (el artista no aplicó pintura en ambos bordes, dejando ver a simple vista el lienzo). Craqueladura ligera en zona media derecha, dos pequeñas manchas en zona inferior derecha. Manchas en la tela lateral del bastidor. La obra se encuentra montada en un soporte de madera. Bajo Luz UV: No se aprecia nada, firma integrada This work is in good condition overall. The canvas is mounted to a wood support. The left and lower edges present unpainted areas that are inherent to the artist's intent and working methods. Minor craquelure is present in the center right quadrant; two small lines are present in the lower right quadrant. Fine horizontal lines of craquelure that correspond to the stretcher are present in the central quadrant. Under ultraviolet light inspection, no evidence of inpainting becomes apparent.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Classically trained at the renowned Academia de Bellas Artes de San Carlos in Mexico City, Diego Rivera's regard for the precepts of Italian art is palpable in the immediacy of his portraiture. As a young artist traveling in Europe, Rivera was introduced early on to the glorious achievements of Renaissance fresco painting, a practice he professed as more authentic and direct than any other. Years later, upon his return to Mexico in 1928 after an eight-month sojourn in Moscow, Rivera formally incorporated Italian fresco painting into his own mural practice, a medium that ultimately propelled him as an international celebrity and one of the twentieth century's greatest artists. Painted in 1928, the same year he met his future wife Frida Kahlo (see fig. 1), Mujer mexicana portrays the artist's lifelong commitment to mexicanidad, a re-assessment and a re-appreciation of Mexico and its cultures. It is well known that Rivera was not a mimetic portraitist. Rivera often exaggerated or avoided the physical traits of his sitters for qualities he perceived to be more truthful. At times, he used expressionist motifs to enlarge certain body parts purely for impact. A particular affinity for Mexican exuberance is present in his easel portraits, particularly those he painted during the 1940s. In them, sumptuous dresses and accessories are treated with venerable affection. Executed in a smaller and more intimate format, the present painting differs greatly from this later production by revealing the quiet and dignified elegance of a young woman in demure clothing and candid disposition—an idealized testament to the people who would become the foundation of his work. 

This painting is part of the National Heritage of Mexico and cannot be permanently exported from the country. Accordingly, it is offered for sale in New York from the catalogue and will not be available in New York for inspection or delivery. The painting will be released to the purchaser in Mexico in compliance with all local requirements. Prospective buyers may contact Sotheby’s representatives in Mexico City and Monterrey for an appointment to view the work.



We wish to thank Professor Luis-Martín Lozano for his kind assistance in confirming the authenticity of this lot.