Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15

Martin Saldana
Mexican American Folk Art Oil Painting – Figures, Houses & Landscape, 20th C.

20th Century

$3,500
£2,639.02
€3,041.10
CA$4,855.45
A$5,440.50
CHF 2,831.99
MX$66,556.17
NOK 35,946.85
SEK 33,951.37
DKK 22,702.42
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

A charming and colorful oil on board painting by acclaimed Mexican American folk artist Martin Saldaña (1874–1965), titled “Farm and Figures.” This unique 20th-century outsider artwork features a stylized rural landscape filled with houses, blooming flowers, and rolling green hills. Two whimsical figures holding hands appear in the upper left corner, adding a touch of narrative and nostalgia. The painting is rendered in vivid shades of orange, white, purple, yellow, and green, capturing Saldaña’s signature style—naive yet emotionally rich, geometric yet deeply personal. It is housed in a custom frame measuring 21 ½ x 26 ¼ inches; the image itself measures 14 x 19 ⅛ inches. The work is titled by the artist on the verso. About the Artist: Martin Saldaña (1874–1965) Born in Rancho Nuevo, Mexico, Saldaña moved to the U.S. and began painting late in life. At the age of 76, he joined children’s art classes at the Denver Art Museum, where he was encouraged to explore memories from his childhood in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. A former cook at Denver's historic Brown Palace Hotel, Saldaña painted prolifically, producing a new work every few days for over 15 years. Saldaña’s Mexican folk art influence shines through his use of bold color, simplified forms, and emotive storytelling. His paintings celebrate everyday life, rural landscapes, and beloved animals with authenticity and joy. As a self-taught artist, he is celebrated as a Mexican American outsider artist, with works that are direct, heartfelt, and filled with cultural memory.
  • Creator:
    Martin Saldana (1874 - 1965, Mexican)
  • Creation Year:
    20th Century
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)Width: 26.25 in (66.68 cm)Depth: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Frame Included
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
    very good vintage condition.
  • Gallery Location:
    Denver, CO
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 261341stDibs: LU27312628732

More From This Seller

View All
Vibrant 20th Century Folk Art Oil Painting of Girl, Sheep & Car in Landscape
By Martin Saldana
Located in Denver, CO
"Girl with Sheep and Car" is a captivating mid-20th century oil on board painting by self-taught folk artist Martin Saldaña (1874-1965). This vibrant landscape features a whimsical F...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

1960s Mexican-American Folk Art Oil Painting – Colorful Rural Farm Scene
By Martin Saldana
Located in Denver, CO
“Ethel, The Blue Spotted Cow” is a bold and joyful original folk art oil painting by Mexican-American artist Martin Saldaña. Bursting with color and charm, this large-scale work feat...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Colorful Mid-Century Folk Art Oil Painting by Martin Saldaña, "Small Nude", 1960
By Martin Saldana
Located in Denver, CO
"Small Nude" is a vibrant, semi-abstract oil painting by Mexican-American artist Martin Saldaña (1874–1965). This whimsical mid-century work features a stylized female nude surrounde...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

1980s Autumn Harvest, Original Semi-Abstract Landscape Oil Painting with Figures
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
This original oil painting, titled Autumn Harvest by Edward Marecak (1919-1993), was created in 1987. It features a stunning autumnal landscape, with seven women actively engaged in ...
Category

1980s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Train, Vintage Vibrant Folk Art Oil Painting with Bold Colorful Details
By Martin Saldana
Located in Denver, CO
Discover the vibrant world of Martin Saldana, a talented Mexican-American folk artist known for his captivating rustic and naïve style. This original painting, titled "The Train", wa...
Category

1950s Folk Art Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Lovely Gal, 1950s Semi-Abstract Figurative Folk Art Oil Painting, & Birds
By Martin Saldana
Located in Denver, CO
"Lovely Gal" is a charming oil on board painting by Martin Saldaña (1874-1965), a self-taught outsider artist known for his vibrant, whimsical depictions of childhood memories and rural life. This semi-abstract figurative work features a colorful palette of bold hues, with flowers and birds that reflect Saldaña's deep connection to nature and his Mexican heritage. The painting is presented in a custom frame with outer dimensions of 30 ¾ x 25 ⅜ x 1 ⅝ inches, and the image size is 24 ½ x 19 ⅛ inches. About the Artist: Martin Saldaña was born in 1874 at Rancho Neuvo, Mexico, and led a modest life, working as a cook at Denver's iconic Brown Palace Hotel. At the age of 76, Saldaña began attending children’s art classes at the Denver Art Museum, sparking a late-blooming artistic career. Over the next 15 years, he vividly captured memories of his childhood in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, focusing on ranch life, landscapes, and his love for animals. Saldaña's work is noted for its bold, geometric figures and vibrant colors, often evoking the influence of Mexican tapestries. His paintings are considered to be naïve and folk art, characterized by their simple, direct, and highly personal style. Saldaña's prolific output—creating a new painting nearly every three days—resulted in an impressive collection of artworks that continue to be celebrated today. Saldaña’s endearing style continues to captivate art enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into a rich, nostalgic world filled with vibrant colors and heartfelt simplicity. ©David Cook Galleries...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

You May Also Like

People of the Village
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "People of the Village" c.1980, is an oil painting on canvas by Hungarian artist Anton Kowalski, b.1926. It is signed at the lower right corner by the artist. The canvas size is 21 x 24 inches, framed size is 26.5 x 30.5 inches. Framed in original dark wood and green frame, with fabric liner. It is in excellent condition. About the artist: The artist was born in Sopron in Hungary in 1926. He was a student of the Academy of Budapest and during the uprising in 1956 against Communism he escaped from Hungary to Vienna where he now lives and works. He has become internationally known for his (typically East European style) “Naive” paintings depicting Village life in the four seasons in glorious color. Children especially like his works as each one tells a story. He has exhibited in many Galleries throughout Europe, particularly in Munich, Vienna, Tokyo, and Harrods in London. His work has been on permanent exhibition at the Stewart Gallery...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Once Upon a Time" Mid Century Figurative Landscape
Located in Soquel, CA
Charming mid-century naive painting of small figures and chickens in a rural landscape by an unknown artist (American, 20th Century). Signed with the monogram "I. M. H." on lower lef...
Category

1960s Folk Art Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Cardboard

Folk Art Naive Oil Painting Ljubomir Milinkov Whimsical Pastoral Farm Landscape
By Ljubomir Milinkov
Located in Surfside, FL
Ljubomir Milinkov (1938) Oil painting on board, Whimsical pastoral farm landscape Hand signed upper right, Dimensions: painting 12-1/2 x 15-1/2 inches. framed 18.5 x 21.5 inches Ljubomir Milinkov depicts a fantasy like setting using bold colors, and carefully planned out brushstrokes. The figures and inanimate objects that fill the composition are out of proportion, bi-dimensional, and primitive, cartoonist in terms of style. In fact this painting is iconic of Milinkov's Naif style. His work was sold by Wally Findlay Galleries in New York and Palm Beach and he has designed silk scarves for Hermes. Born in Sovac, Serbia, Arrived in France in 1962. Milinkov enters the world of art. He begins to distill his own style. Good life and beautiful models on the Place du Tertre in Montmartre fill and inspire him. In 1967 he went on an adventure to the USA. For 6 months in 1968 he crossed America from New York to San Francisco aboard his own Cadillac hearse, bought for this trip. It's the full hippie period, he shaves his head in contrast to all the bearded people around him. Back in New York in 1969, he exhibited at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair with 60 artists, five hundred thousand visitors. Sponsored by the organizers to register for 2 years at the New York School of Fine Arts, he declines this generous offer to preserve his freedom and explore his own fauvist mode of expression. Proud to be a graduate of the Fine Arts Schools of “Nulle part” and “Every where”. In 1972 he opened his first solo exhibition at the Masseur Museum of Art, Monroe, Louisiana. In 1973 he joined the Wally Findlay International Gallery, with which he worked exclusively for 16 years, exhibiting in New York, Chicago, Palm Beach, Beverly Hills, Paris. He was included in the show "One of a Kind" along with Artists: Camille Bombois, Orville Bulman, Henri Maik, Gustavo Novoa and Annette Ollivary. His tapestry “Noah's Ark” was purchased by the royal family of Saudi Arabia. In 1974 he returned to France and settled between Cannes and Paris. His collaboration with French design house legend Hermes began in 1982: creation of the first Carré “Jardin Enchanté”, followed in 1998 by Gavroches scarves “La Cavale Joyeuse” and “Les Ailes pleines de Joie” and in 2013 the Carré “Bateau Flowery”. It is the “Enchanted Garden” which will have had the honor in 1983 of being the emblem of Hermès' participation in the 150th anniversary of Central Park in New York, where he will be the guest of honor. Also in 1982, creation of his second Aubusson tapestry "Arche de Noé n ° 2". In 2000 his famous “Twin towers” paintings...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Naïve Art Oil Painting, Countryside Landscape, Village and Farmers, France 1950s
By Paul Gauguin
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Naïve Art Oil Painting, Countryside Landscape, Village and Farmers, France 1950s Signed "P.LEFEBRE" at the bottom right corner. This vibrant painting by French artist P. Lefebre is...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Family, Folk Art Oil Painting on Board by Rex Clawson
By Rex Clawson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Rex Clawson, American (1929 - 2007) Title: Family Year: circa 1979 Medium: Oil on Board, signed l.r. Size: 22 in. x 14 in. (55.88 cm x 35.56 cm) Frame Size: 26 x 18 inches
Category

1970s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Oil, Board

Whimsical Outsider, Folk Art Oil Painting by William R. Straly
By William R. Straly
Located in Buffalo, NY
Whimsical outsider, Folk Art oil painting by William R. Straly, excellent use of color. Texture and space.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paint