Virgilio Méndez - A Retrospective (1978-1989)

Few artists have experienced the artistic exposure that was enjoyed by Virgilio Mendez (1941–2003). Born in Santo Domingo during the artistic renaissance that was ushered in by the arrival of European exiles (Manolo Pascual, Josep Gausachs, George Hausdorf), Mendez's early exposure to art were the works of Jose Vela Zanetti (1913-1999), an artist of Spanish origin that settled in the Dominican Republic as an exile of his country's civil war (1940-1953).

On the seashore
1978. Watercolor, acrylic and pen on paper. 62 x 47 cm

At the age of seventeen, he enrolls at the National School of Fine Arts, where he becomes a disciple of the great Jaime Colson, a professor at ENVA during Mendez's years. His other instructors included Clara Ledesma (1924-1999) and Gilberto Hernández Ortega (1924-1978), at the time assistant principal and director of the school, respectively.

In 1963, Méndez is named a professor at the School of Fine Arts in San Francisco de Macoris, a position which only last for few months, as Méndez receives a scholarship to study at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain.

Virgilio Mendez's professional career lasted just a little over 40 years; starting in 1959 when he won First prize in sculpture in the President Trujillo Art Competition— His first individual exhibition was in 1962.

On the balcony
1978. Watercolor and Ink on Fabriano paper. 54.8 x 42.8 cm

The colorful umbrella
1978. Watercolor and ink watercolor paper. 56.5 x 76.4 cm

His themes were cotidiano (daily life), while his subjects were mostly Dominicans of African heritage, dark skin (negros) and mulatto, and especially, women.

He used strong shadows and lines to create subtle expressions on focused faces. However, in many of his drawings and paintings, Virgilio Mendez used his technique to create hands that regardless of their size or the focal point, commanded the attention of the viewer.

After Hurricane David
1979. Watercolor and pen on Fabriano paper. 54.8 x 42.8 cm

Frugal Dinner. 1979. Watercolor, acrylic and ink on paper. 39.5 x 27 cm

Aristotle referred to the hand as the tool of tools. To an artist, such Virgilio Mendez, the hand is the most important tool—his focus on the hand in his drawings and paintings, is a homage to the worker (artist, farmer, vendor, mother).

The Bellapart Museum in Santo Domingo houses the largest collection of Virgilio's Mendez's artwork (paintings, sculptures, drawings) available to the public. Here's a retrospective of Virgilio Mendez's works from 1978-1989.

Family Sunday
1979. Watercolor on Fabriano paper. 43 x 49.2 cm

Young woman with hairnet
1979. Watercolor and pen on cardboard. 48 x 36.5 cm

Couple in the river
1979. Watercolor on Fabriano paper. 49.8 x 37.4 cm

The Red dress
1981. Watercolor, acrylic and ink on paper. 31 x 23.5 cm

In the canefields
1981. Watercolor and ink on Fabriano paper. 32.5 x 24.5 cm.

Dark skin girl with blue eyes
1981. Watercolor and ink on watercolor paper. 32.8 x 25.3 cm

Woman from the village
1981. Watercolor and ink on Fabriano paper. 34.8 x 33.5 cm

Farmers
1981. Watercolor, acrylic and ink on paper. 42 x 29 cm

Vendor in the Red cap
1983. Watercolor and ink on watercolor paper. 31.5 x 24 cm

The Jeweled Lady
1989. Watercolor, acrylic and ink on canvas. 49.5 x 39.5 cm

In the market
1989. Watercolor and ink on Fabriano paper. 49 x 33.5 cm.