Rene Portocarrero

Biography

René Portocarrero (born Havana, 24 February 1912; died Havana, 7 April 1985) was a Cuban artist recognised internationally for his achievements. Portocarrero began his artistic education at the San Alejandro academy, but left early and is hence considered 'self taught'. He put on his first exhibition in 1934, at the Havana Lyceum, beginning a long and fruitful career which included a 1937 collaboration with Mariano Rodríguez and work as a 'free studies' teacher of painting and sculpture. After travels in Haiti, Europe and the United States he gave his first show to an overseas audience at Julien Levy's gallery in New York City in 1945.

Career

In 1950, he worked with Wifredo Lam, Mariano, Martinez Pedro and Amelia Peláez in the village of Santiago de Las Vegas. In 1961, he had meetings with Fidel Castro in the Jose Marti National Library, where they discussed culture. René received lessons in painting from Nicolás Guillén Landrián. In 1977 he worked for the Japan Women's Association. In 1979, he worked for UNESCO and AIAP. He knew Peggy Guggenheim. In the 1980s, he taught Victor Miquel Moreno Piñeiro (Victor Moreno), cousin of Servando Cabrera Moreno. In 1981 he received the 'Felix Varela' prize from Cuba and in 1982 he received the 'Aztec Eagle', Mexico's highest award.

Rene Portocarrero - Carnival

Rene Portocarrero - Carnival

Carnival

Gouache on Paper mounted to Board

17 x 12 inches

Signed and Dated 1953

Provenance: From the estate of Sam Eppy

COA Fundacion Arte Cubano

Rene Portocarrero - Flor

Rene Portocarrero - Flor

Flor

Ceramic Plaque

11-3/4 x 11-3/4 inches (30cm x 30cm)

Signed and Dated 1953

COA Fundacion Arte Cubano

Rene Portocarrero - Flores

Rene Portocarrero - Flores

Flores 

Oil on Canvas

23 x 18 inches

Signed, Dated and Titled on Verso 1966

COA Fundacion Arte Cubano

Rene Portocarrero - King Drawing

Rene Portocarrero - King Drawing

King drawing, Basilio, Rey De Polonia (Basil, King of Poland)

Watercolor and Ink on paper

22-1/2 x 14 inches

Signed and Dated 1948

Rene Portocarrero - Mujer con Sombrilla

Rene Portocarrero - Mujer con Sombrilla

Mujer con Sombrilla

Oil on Wood Panel

18 x 15 inches

Signed and Dated 1947/48

COA Fundacion Arte Cubano

Provenance: Collection of Emma Cabrera, Virginia

Rene Portocarrero - Untitled

Rene Portocarrero - Untitled

Untitled

Pastel on Paper

20 x 15 inches

Signed and Dated 1946

COA Fundacion Arte Cubano

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