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Thomas Moran
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El Volcán / Raúl Anguiano

Gallery Label

What does the story of star-crossed lovers have to do with this painting of majestic, erupting volcanoes? Some of the highest volcanoes in Mexico are named after legendary Mexica (Aztec) figures: Popocatéptl, once a brave warrior, and his beloved, Iztaccíhuatl, the beautiful daughter of a mighty Tlaxcaltec ruler. Betrothed before Popocatéptl sets off for battle, the young couple’s plans go awry when a false message is sent to Iztaccíhuatl by a rival announcing that Popocatéptl is dead. Upon hearing the news, she dies of a broken heart. When Popocatéptl returns triumphant from war and learns of her death, he is devastated and orders a great tomb to be built under the sun, piling ten hills together to form a huge mountain. He carries the body of Iztaccíhuatl to the summit and lays her on the great mountain, lovingly kisses her cold lips, and kneels in front of her with a smoking torch to watch over her eternal sleep. Over time, snow covers their bodies and forms two enormous volcanoes that would remain together until the end of time. When Popocatéptl remembers his beloved, his heart shakes and his torch smokes. The legend and the presence of these enormous volcanoes have been a source of inspiration for Mexico’s people for generations, including 20th century artist Raúl Anguiano.

¿Qué tiene que ver una historia de amantes desafortunados con este cuadro de volcanes majestuosos en erupción? Dos de los volcanes más altos de México son nombrados por los personajes legendarios mexicas (aztecas) Popocatépetl, guerrero valiente, y su amada Iztaccíhuatl, la bella hija de un poderoso cacique tlaxcalteca. Prometidos antes de que Popocatépetl saliera a la batalla, los jóvenes amantes ven su futuro matrimonial deshecho cuando Iztaccíhuatl recibe un mensaje falso declarando fallecido a su amado, y ella, como consecuencia, muere de corazón roto. Cuando Popocatépetl regresa triunfante de la guerra y aprende, devastado, de la muerte de su prometida, manda la construcción de una tumba enorme, amontonando diez colinas para formar una montaña. Lleva el cuerpo exangüe de Iztaccíhuatl a la cumbre y, besándole los fríos labios, lo extiende sobre la montaña. Se arrodilla ante su amante difunta, con una antorcha humeante, para vigilarle su sueño eterno. Con el tiempo, la nieve los cubre a los dos, formando dos volcanes enormes e inseparables hasta el fin de los tiempos. Cuando Popocatépetl recuerda a su amada, le sacude el corazón y humea la antorcha. Estos volcanes y su leyenda han servido de inspiración al pueblo mexicano durante generaciones, y uno de los inspirados, del siglo XX, fue el artista Raúl Anguiano.

From the exhibition: Mexican Modernism: Revolution & Reckoning, August 29, 2019 - August 30, 2020.
Alison Rossi, Director of Learning and Community Engagement, 2019.

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Title(s): 
El Volcán; The Volcano
Creator(s): 
Raúl Anguiano (Artist)
Culture: 
Mexican
Date: 
1943
Place: 
México
Materials/Techniques: 
oil on canvas
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Credit Line: 
Gift of the Thomas Gilcrease Foundation, 1955
Accession No: 
01.2012
Previous Number(s): 
0147.2012; 14604
Department: 
Not On View

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