Nuestros dioses antiguos 1916

Saturnino Herran made this painting, Nuestros dioses antiguos, using a kind of earthy palette where browns and greens dominate. You can see him working it out, feeling his way through the shapes, trying to find his way and capture the weight of the figures in a solemn procession. Imagine Herran standing before the canvas, brush in hand, considering how to capture the dignity of the indigenous people of Mexico, and the weight of tradition and cultural memory. The paint looks like it was applied thinly, almost like a stain, allowing the figures to emerge softly. The muted tones create a somber mood, and you can see the sadness on their faces. There is such an acute observation of color here, and he is clearly aware of the history of painting and what his contemporaries were doing. I see an artist searching, questioning, and honoring his roots, as so many painters do!