A basket of vermillion fruit, a single sombrero, and an indigo-clad, statuesque woman comprise this lyrical composition. Rufino Tamayo created reflective, poetic artworks unlike the overtly political works by many of his contemporaries. However, like his fellow artists, he found inspiration in the continuity of Mexican traditions, particularly those related to his own Zapotec heritage. In this painting of a woman selling tomatoes, we glimpse the artist’s ability to apply expressive color and to capture the transcendent beauty of understated moments.

Forman esta composición lírica una canasta de frutas de color carmesí, un solo sombrero, y una mujer escultural vestida de color índigo. Rufino Tamayo creó obras artísticas poéticas y pensativas, distintas de las obras abiertamente políticas de muchos de sus contemporáneos. No obstante, así como sus colegas artistas, se inspiró en la continuidad de tradiciones mexicanas, particularmente las de su propia herencia zapoteca. En este cuadro de una vendedora de jitomates, vislumbramos la habilidad del artista de aplicar colores expresivos y de capturar la belleza trascendental de un momento sencillo.

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