Latin American art in the world

If someone asks you to name the 10 most famous works of art in the world, most people would probably answer with pieces from the European continent. It is almost inevitable to stop referring to Paris and its bohemian artists, the Louvre Museum, Florence, Rome and its famous Renaissance artists, such as Leonardo or Michelangelo, Picasso, Dalí or the famous Velázquez. This happens because for many centuries Europe was a reference in political, economic, cultural and artistic trends in the Western world. But what about Latin America? Could you name the 10 most representative works of art from this region of the continent?

Latin American art has been built from very different realities to those in Europe, because the living circumstances of our continent are abysmally different. The art that is constructed and proposed in Latin America is created in different climates, with living conditions that have nothing to do with European cities and, of course, with artists whose job opportunities are far from those in first world countries. Therefore, the concern of the artists who reside here is built from other perspectives, which include a particular appropriation of what is seen, what is experienced, what is criticized and what is proposed through art.

The lack of economic support and the low institutional value given to the arts and humanities in Latin American society forces artists to rely on other resources that allow them to carry out their work, regardless of whether or not they have the recognition of an official agency. This results in an incalculable wealth in cultural capital because it results in an endless number of innovative works in the various artistic genres.

There are a huge number of Latin American artists throughout history, but few of them shine or have shined in the international art scene, perhaps because the predominant aesthetic in the general imagination is still governed by European standards. This, added to the lack of support, reduces the number of artists from this continent who stand out worldwide. Even so, names such as Diego Rivera (Mexico), Frida Kahlo (Mexico), Antonio Berni (Argentina), Tarsila Do Amaral (Brazil) and Fernando Botero (Colombia) are popular. The latter is the most sought-after living Latin American artist in the world and currently has exhibitions on all continents.

Unfortunately, this international recognition is a privilege that few have been able to enjoy, both in the past and today. There is still much to learn about Latin American artists, about their personal and professional stories, about their works, their concerns and their proposals. Perhaps the name of Pablo Picasso is more familiar to us than that of Saturnino Herrán (Mexico), that of Salvador Dalí than that of Wifredo Lam (Cuba), that of Leonardo Da Vinci than that of Xul Solar (Argentina), but their works are still present as a testimony to their history, to the cultural history of our continent and to the richness of Latin American art.

The importance of recognizing our art is essential to vindicate it on a cultural level and to better understand our continental identity. The Universidad Anáhuac de Puebla offers an excellent opportunity that will allow you to delve into these themes. A Diploma in the History of Latin American Art in which you can become an expert on the subject, even without having previous knowledge. To enroll, you can contact the School of Continuing Education.
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