Mexican Painter Raymundo Gonzalez: Man and Woman on Horse
10 April 2012 by admin 0 Comments

Mexican Folk Art Raymundo Gonzalez

Man and Woman on Horse.

Mexican painter and folk artist Raymundo Gonzalez continues his theme of life in everyday Mexico with his painting entitled simply, “Man and Woman on Horse.”

The entire painting is framed with stage curtains. Raymundo Gonzalez often “frames” his paintings with decorative elements like bunting or, in this case, the curtains of a stage. The central characters are a man and a woman on a procession horse. They are both dressed in extravagantly festive clothing. The man’s suit is reminiscent of a mariachi. Mariachi bands are associated with celebrations in Mexico and are particularly associated with the romantic serenading of women.

Both the man and the woman are wearing classic Mexican masks. Mexican masks are a part of the traditional native cultures of the continent, through which the wearers were transformed into spiritual beings. Catholic missionaries quickly adopted the practice and instituted intricate re-enactments of Biblical stories and themes by masked people.

Consequently, the rich combination of Christian and native pagan symbols has always been a popular theme in Mexico and in the folk art and traditional art and painting of Mexico. Such symbols are common in senior Gonzalez’ paintings.

The horse is also wearing celebratory attire, with a traditional blanket covering used in all sorts of Mexican religious and cultural processions.

Curiously, the entire display is being itself enacted on a stage, with silent watchers below. Stage lights illuminate the actors of the drama while animals cavort below them. Traditional cherubim, common in all Catholic art, float around the couple while roses are tossed toward them.

The entire painting is a romantic and idealized picture of traditional Mexican love, romance, and celebration.

As always, I am intrigued by the presence of vines in Raymundo’s paintings. At the bottom of the stage is a single vine wrapping through the stage lights. One of Raymundo’s trademarks

The colors of the painting are vivid. It must be seen to be appreciated.

Man and Woman on Horse
Gouache on Paper
36″ x 48″

Click here for purchase information.

Raymundo Gonzalez’ work is available for viewing and purchase through Que te Late. Gallery owner Chica Younger is an official representative and agent for senior Gonzalez’ artwork in the United States.

Raymundo Gonzalez was trained as an architect in Veracruz, but soon found his true calling as a painter. He works in a variety of media but sticks to simple and traditional themes of Mexican life as it was known in the early and mid 20^th century.

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