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Of all of the painters
in Cuba’s history, Tiburcio Lorenzo Sanchez is credited
as the driving force which helped to bring fine art to
western Cuba.
Born in Pinar del Rio, Lorenzo was able to move to
Havana to study art at San Alejandro after winning a
scholarship. There, he befriended fellow artists Victor
Manuel and Fidelio Ponce, and studied under Romanach. He
graduated in 1944, and shortly thereafter began a major
movement in Cuban art. |
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Prior to Lorenzo, the
former Spanish colony of Pinar del Rio was best known
for their tobacco industry. Today, Pinar del Rio is a
thriving cultural center, in part due to Lorenzo's
influence. It is said that Lorenzo, among others, fought
to bring fine art to the region, and helped to create
another cultural center outside of Havana. This cultural
center began with the creation of the Provincial School
of Art, and made it possible for students to receive
professional training outside of Havana, which is almost
120 miles away from Pinar del Rio.
In 1946 after much hard work, Lorenzo was able to open
the Provincial School of Fine Arts in Pinar del Rio.
There he taught for more than 20 years and became a
teacher and mentor to many generations of contemporary
Cuban artists.
His own art is primarily landscapes of western Cuba.
Lorenzo painted the lush vegetation of Pinar del Rio and
was considered to be one of the great painters of the
early Republic. His use of tropical colors and almost
entirely Cuban training made his work fresh and original
and is truly an example of real Cuban painting. Lorenzo
also did a number of sculptures, though his true talent
lies within his landscape paintings.
Lorenzo worked up until 1991 and died 5 years later in
Cuba. Because he lived not long ago and worked during a
progressive stage in Cuba, the possibility of owning one
of his art pieces is endless. Though he was not ever
documented as living or studying abroad, he was still
producing art in a time before Cuba went through their
many political changes. He was able to exhibit often in
Cuba, and though was not able to share his work with the
rest of the world in his lifetime he made an impact on
the art world.
Today, much of his work is housed in Cuba, and has
previously been exhibited in Tampa, FL and other areas
abroad. During his lifetime he exhibited all over Cuba
in most of the national galleries and gained much
national distinction and acclaim. There is even a museum
and salon today in Cuba which bears his name, the
National Hall Tiburcio Lorenzo, UNEAC in Pinar del Rio,
Cuba. Without Lorenzo's hard work, Pinar del Rio may be
little more than a tobacco farming town.
Could you own a piece of art by Tiburcio Lorenzo
Sanchez? We would be happy to assist you in
authenticating a piece of art by this great Cuban
master. |
