Portrait of Evangelina Rivas de De la Chica, The lady from Oaxaca 1949

Diego Rivera painted this portrait of Evangelina Rivas de De la Chica, the lady from Oaxaca, with oil on canvas, and, boy, isn’t it something? I can imagine Rivera carefully laying down each stroke, building up the colours and forms with precision. The painting’s palette of deep reds, dark blues, and lush greens creates a rich, almost theatrical atmosphere, while the composition draws you in. I wonder what Rivera and Evangelina talked about as he worked? I bet she sat there very still. Maybe she was thinking about her garden or her family. The way Rivera captures the drape of her shawl and the pattern of her dress, you can almost feel the texture of the fabrics. And look at that red window frame—it gives a glimpse into the outside world, hinting at the landscapes and cultures that inspired Rivera’s art. It's not unlike other portraits of the time; it is very much of its moment. Painters are always in conversation with each other, borrowing, reacting, and pushing boundaries. To me, painting is about leaving room for the unexpected, embracing the messy, and letting the work take on a life of its own.