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
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
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
Flores
Oil on Canvas
23 x 18 inches
Signed, Dated and Titled on Verso 1966
COA Fundacion Arte Cubano
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 - Mariposa
Mariposa
Pastel on Paper
14 x 17 inches
Signed and Dated 1948
COA Fundacion Arte Cubano
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
Untitled
Pastel on Paper
20 x 15 inches
Signed and Dated 1946
COA Fundacion Arte Cubano