Mirta Cerra
(1904-1986)

Mirta Cerra was a very unconventional Cuban artist. She did not want to be categorized as a Cubist, a Classicist or an Abstract artist. She painted in her own style, and clearly stated that whenever asked. Though not well-known outside of Cuba, Cerra exhibited and traveled all over the world and left an extensive collection behind.

A student under Leopold Romanach at the San Alejandro School, Cerra painted in earthy tones. Her earliest work is of her childhood memories on the farm, and she painted many "guajirito's" (earth men, as the local farmers were called). These paintings are soft, yet eerie. Her trademark for painting these farmers was to depict them with vacant, dark almond shaped eyes, like in "Guajirito" (1949).

Guajirito
 

In 1934, she obtained a scholarship fund for a trip to New York. There, Cerra began to fully embrace Cubist ideas. She was highly influenced by the New York City architecture-the gothic arches and square high rises and windows. After she returned to Cuba, her work became more infused with cityscapes, such as her famous painting, "Habana" (1948).

Habana
 

One could compare her cityscapes to the style of Gustav Klimt-warm tones, intense blue and rose colors and an almost mosaic-like approach to Cubism. While Cerra embraced some of the Cubist ideas, she would usually only incorporate them through buildings and windows in her city scenes, as apposed people or plants.

Because Cerra also dabbled in Abstract art, some of her work may be harder to recognize right away. Sometimes she incorporated Cuban themes, other times Surrealist themes like a giant eye. Cerra would also paint sea themes, such as fish and sailboats in an abstract composition. It is very possible that this artist has abstract work floating around, not authenticated or otherwise ignored. Pottery was also an arena that Cerra worked with.

Another interesting thing about Cerra is that she was one of the first artists in her generation to use engraving extensively. During her trip to New York, Cerra picked up this technique, and began to use it. Could there be prints of Cerra's in New York that was previously undiscovered? Absolutely. However, very little is known of her sketches and engravings. Not only would one of her early prints be a valuable piece of art, but would also be very valuable to Cuban art history.

Mirta Cerra exhibited her work all around the world during her lifetime-Mexico, France, Spain, Italy and the United States, to name a few. Today, there is a Museum dedicated to her in Cuba, and her work is owned in public and private collections world wide.

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