Armando Valladares (Cuban, b. 1937)

José Martí

Print

Labeled 'Artist Proof' to lower left

Signed and dated to the lower right

Visible 13 in. x 18 3/16 in., matted to 16 1/16 in. x 20 1/8 in. 

A portrait of José Martí, considered by many a Cuban national hero. He is seen with his signature mustache and wearing a suit and tie with what appears to be a white rose lapel pin. 

Martí (1853-1895) led a busy life: He was a poet, philosopher, essayist, journalist, translator, professor, publisher and nationalist. Through his writings and political activism, he became a symbol of Cuba vying for independence from the Spanish Empire in the 19th century. Martí advocated for his beliefs his whole life, eventually becoming a martyr when he was killed in action during the Battle of Dos Ríos in 1895. 

Valladares is not only an artist, but also a political prisoner for 22 years. In 1960, he was arrested by the Cuban government for opposing Fidel Castro, in which eight of those years was spent in solitary confinement. While in prison, Valladares turned to art — he began creating using whatever materials he could find. Following his imprisonment, he released a memoir detailing his experiences in "Castro's Gulag." 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Art, Cuban Art, Latinx Art, Latino Art, Latin-American Art, Caribbean Art]