Young Woman with Pumpkin is a clear example of the wonderful portraits that Saturnino Herrán made throughout his short career. In it, the sweetness of the indigenous girl stands out, with a peaceful gaze that stares towards the emptiness, and it shows a relaxed character full of life.
This portrait has several elements that show the incipient need of that time to capture one’s essence, in the search for a national identity. In the center is this indigenous woman in her prime; behind her is a cactus, symbolic of Mexican identity due to the legend of the founding of Tenochtitlán to build the city where they found an eagle devouring a snake on a cactus (nopal). The pumpkin is presented as a national fruit and a symbol of the wealth of the land.
Each detail of the artwork is built of strokes that follow the volumes they represent, giving it three-dimensions, as well as a very well-achieved anatomy that endows this piece with great technical mastery.
- Maestra Renata Blaisten
We present today's work thanks to Museo Blaisten. : )
P.S. It is this time of the year where color orange rules the world (of course when it’s not the grey skies and rain). Everything turns various shades of orange, leaves, grass and most importantly of all—pumpkins take over. You would never guess how many pumpkins are found in art! Check it out here!
P.P.S. We have launched the presale of our paper wall and desk calendars for 2021! If you order them before November 8th you will get -30% discount :) We ship with DHL worldwide :) Please check the calendars on our shop: shop.dailyartmagazine.com