Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an oil painting by the Indian Miniature artist Mario Urteaga. It dates from 1936 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created in 1936, this oil on canvas presents a bustling street procession.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1936, this oil on canvas presents a bustling street procession. A coffin on a modest wooden platform is carried by a crowd dressed in vivid striped shirts and hats, some bearing drums, horns, and flags. The scene unfolds along a cobblestone road framed by weathered pink walls and red-tiled roofs, the figures’ bright attire contrasting with the subdued architecture.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a communal rite—likely a funeral or public mourning—where participants move solemnly yet with ceremonial music. The presence of a uniformed leader and the collective gestures suggest a blend of reverence and organized display, reflecting communal solidarity in the face of loss.
Technique & Style
Executed with thick, tactile brushstrokes, the painting employs impasto to give surface texture, especially in the figures’ clothing and the cobblestones. Its composition and decorative detail echo the flat, ornamental qualities of Indian miniature painting, while retaining a modernist sensibility.
History & Provenance
Painted by Peruvian self‑taught artist Mario Urteaga (1875–1957), the piece reflects his independent development outside the Lima‑based Indigenist movement. Urteaga, who also worked as a photographer, teacher, farmer, and journalist, produced the work while residing in Cajamarca. The canvas is now part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Urteaga Alvarado, Mario (April 1, 1875 – June 12, 1957) was a Peruvian painter. He originally worked as a painter, photographer and upon his return to his native Cajamarca from Lima he worked as a school teacher,…
