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Carlos Mérida (1891-1984) Abstract Composition, 1968
Details
Signed and dated lower left “CARLOS MERIDA 1968”.
Sizes:
Frame: 117.5 × 77.5 cm | 46.3 × 30.5 in
Artwork: 110 × 70 cm | 43.3 × 27.6 in
In this 1968 masterpiece, Mérida explores the rhythmic intersection of geometric abstraction and indigenous Mayan motifs, a hallmark of his celebrated mature style. Set against a luminous gold-leaf background, the composition features a vibrant array of sharp, angular forms in a sophisticated palette of terracotta red, deep ochre, obsidian black, and crisp white. The arrangement possesses a distinct architectural quality, reminiscent of a complex totemic structure or a series of stylized figures in a cosmic dance.
Mérida’s use of gold leaf adds a celestial, sacred dimension to the work, reflecting his career-long fascination with integrating traditional Mexican craft materials with international Avant-Garde sensibilities. The precision of the linework and the dynamic balance of the floating shapes showcase Mérida’s mastery of “plastic rhythm,” a concept he pioneered to translate the essence of music and ancient architecture into visual form.
Provenance
Private collection, Mexico City;
Private collection, Spain;
Acquired from the above by the father of the current owner.
Condition Report
Excellent vintage condition; colors remain exceptionally vibrant; gold leaf is intact with a rich, uniform luster; minor surface marks consistent with age; housed in a minimalist black frame.
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Carlos Mérida
Carlos Mérida was a transformative figure in 20th-century art, instrumental in bringing abstract art to Mexico. Unlike many of his muralist contemporaries like Rivera or Siqueiros, who focused on social realism, Mérida sought to create a new “universal” language by synthesizing European Cubism and Surrealism with the ancient geometric patterns of his Mayan heritage.
His works are held in the permanent collections of the MoMA (New York), the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Museo de Arte Moderno (Mexico City).
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