South American Paintings

19th Century Peruvian Cuzo School Oil on Canvas of the Holy Mother holding the Infant Jesus. Painting has been newly framed. The Cuzco or Cusco school was a Roman Catholic artisti...

This painting appears to be in a fantastical surrealism or whimsical fantasy style. The artwork features an imaginative, dreamlike cityscape with intricate architectural details, org...

ABOUT Virgin of Guadalupe, unsigned, oil on canvas, unframed. CREATOR Unsigned. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1910-1940. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Oil on Canvas. CONDITION...

A pair of circa 1950's Spanish archangel paintings with giltwood frames. Measurements: Height: 58.5" Width: 40" Depth: 3".

Peruvian Cuzco School Oil on Canvas of the Archangel Michael defeating Satan 18th Century. Later Frame. Wear commensurate with age. The Cuzco or Cusco school was a Roman Catho...

ABOUT Peruvian Cuzco School, Madonna & Child, Untitled. Oil on canvas, pre 1970. CREATOR Unsigned. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c. pre 1970. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Oil on Canv...

This is a very good example of late 18th/early 19th century Cuzco School painting of a Madonna Representing "Our Lady of the Rosary" (Nuestra Senora del Rosario). The painting depict...

Pallet oil on canvas depicting a still life with a multi-colored floral bouquet in a vase on a red table top surface. Set against a molted background. Presented in a gilt frame, line...

Remarkable Spanish colonial late 18th/early 19th-century painting of Lady of the Rosary, Madonna and Child, or Virgin Mary. Oil on canvas Cuzco school painting...

1941 Rio Blanco, Chile by Ceferino Carnaci Painting. Newly framed in gold giltwood frame. Painting includes COA and artist information from the gallery it was purchased from in Buen...

A rare and evocative example of Spanish Colonial art from the Cusco School, this 17th-century oil on wood panel captures the iconic biblical scene of Sain...

Peruvian Cuzo School Oil on Canvas of the Archangel Raphael, 19th Century. The Cuzco or Cusco school was a Roman Catholic artistic tradition that began in the 1500's in Peru, foll...

A lovely antique oil on linen painting from Spanish Colonial period late 18th-early 19th century. In the style of Classic Cuzco School, the painting depic...

Presenting a Peruvian Cusco School Revival painting from the mid 20th century, depicting the beloved figure of San Isidoro, the patron saint of farmers and laborers. This exquisite ...

Large oil painting of the holy family on hand woven canvas. Peruvian or Bolivian. Acquired from an estate in the San Francisco Bay Area f...

Peruvian Cuzo School Oil on Canvas of the Archangel Michael. Canvas has been remounted on new stretchers, a few small marks to the edge of the frame. The Cuzco or Cusco school was...

A fine 18th century painting depicting the Virgin Mary holding baby Christ above four saints, painted in the artistic centers of Cuzco and the Altiplano re...

Fantastic Spanish Colonial school screen. Probably from Peru. This screen, with a kind of European landscape, give us an idea of the influence ...

Oil on canvas "colored fish" - Signed lower right - Latin America - 1998

A fine early 19th Century painting of the Virgin Mary in prayer between two saints, painted in the artistic centers of Cuzco and the Altiplano r...

This late 17th-century oil on canvas from Peru, depicting the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, is a striking example of Spanish Colonial art. The work reflects the deep religiosity and de...

Oil on Canvas by Maria Polo Signed MARIA POLO and dated 1968 Maria Polo (Venice, Italy, 1937 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1983). Painter, designer, engraver and vitralista. Studied at...

Striking pair of acrylic paintings on canvas of traditional Peruvian figures executed in a modernist minimalist folk style. Signed Roberto Benites and presented in wood frames.

1947 Una Mañana En Enero by Antonio Ballerini Painting. Newly framed in gold giltwood frame. Painting includes COA and artist information from the gallery it was purchased from in Bu...

FOR SALE: Stunning Folk Art Oil Painting – Andean Woman & Child with Birds Bring color and culture into your space with this marvelous folk art (outsider art) oil painting on a wood...

An important and truly exceptional 18th century Cuzco School (Spanish School, Peru) Oil on Canvas of Pope Gregory XIII. Attributed to Marcos Zapata or Marcos Sapaca Inca. (Cuzco, Pe...

A captivating oil on canvas still life painting by renowned Argentine artist Juan Lascano, signed and dated 1980. Known for his exceptional realism and delicate use of light and text...

18th century large Spanish Colonial oil on canvas painting of El Escriban, or The Scribe’, St. Augustine. Rich colors of red, gold, silver and b...

Rare 18th-Century Spanish Colonial Painting – Nun in Memento Mori Iconography An exceptional 18th-century Spanish Colonial oil painting on canvas, depicting a veiled nun in a strikin...

Rogelio Polesello, No. 8, 1983. Acrylic on canvas, 52" x 52" (130 x 130 cm) Chromatic Elegy, Energía Cromática Born in Buenos Aires, Rogelio Polesello studied at the Prilidiano Pue...

A large scale abstract citiscape painting, oil on canvas, by the Uruguayan artist Carlos Perez Franco (1929-2015). Perez Franco exhibited throug...

An abstract painting by Venezuelan artist Alejandro Rios. Rios is known for creating largely abstract landscapes that disappear through the texture a...

Rare Early 19th century Capriccio view of Rio de Janeiro Painting Probably painted circa 1810 by one of Jean-Baptiste Debret, Italian Students. Painted on Sailcloth. Historical Context of Early 19th Century Portuguese Colonial Brazil 1.1 Transition from Colony to Empire During the early 19th century, Brazil underwent a seismic shift in its political status. Originally a colony under the Portuguese Empire, the arrival of the Portuguese Royal Court in Rio de Janeiro in 1808 rapidly elevated the city’s cultural and political importance. By 1815, Brazil was declared a kingdom united with Portugal, setting the stage for the emergence of the Empire of Brazil in 1822. This period of transformation—often termed the transitional period from colony to empire—fueled a wave of artistic production in cities like Rio de Janeiro. 1.2 European Artistic Influence in Brazil With the French Artistic Mission in Rio (initiated in 1816) and the presence of various Portuguese and European artists, Brazilian art of the early 1800s began to reflect diverse influences, from neoclassical painting to the early rumblings of romanticism. Painters such as Jean-Baptiste Debret, and Nicolas-Antoine Taunay, and local luminaries like Manuel de Araújo Porto-Alegre contributed to the fine arts tradition in Brazil. Their works featured scenes of local life, portraits of Brazilian society, and imaginative vistas—sometimes referred to as “capriccios,” in which real elements were combined with artistic liberties to create an idealized panorama. 1.3 Rio de Janeiro as Cultural and Political Hub Rio de Janeiro, often called the Imperial capital after Brazil’s independence, was home to foundational institutions like the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts (Academia Imperial de Belas Artes). Later evolving into the Escola de Belas Artes (School of Fine Arts in Rio), these academies nurtured the talents of emerging painters, who found patronage under the Royal Court and, subsequently, the Imperial Court. The city’s significance was further enhanced by the construction of significant buildings, the modernization of infrastructure, and the mingling of European courtly customs with the traditions of local inhabitants. . Description of the Octagonal Oil on Canvas: A Capriccio View of Rio de Janeiro 2.1 Composition and Layout The most striking characteristic of this 19th-century Brazilian art piece is its octagonal shape, a relatively unusual format that draws the viewer’s gaze toward its centre. The composition showcases Rio de Janeiro’s shoreline in the early 1800s, brimming with merchant ships and smaller boats anchored near the shore. On the sand, there is a bustling crowd of local people—men and women carrying food and goods on their heads, loading and unloading boats, and engaging in everyday commerce. The backdrop of soaring mountains suggests Rio’s iconic topography, embodying the landscape that famously defines the city. 2.2 Architectural and Religious Landmarks On the left side, one can discern the silhouette of a church believed to be Santa Lucia, a significant religious structure in the heart of early 19th-century Rio. This element provides viewers with a tangible reference point, linking the scene to an actual location. However, because this painting is labelled as a “capriccio,” the artist might have taken creative liberties by rearranging or amplifying certain features of the city. The melding of real and idealized elements is characteristic of these imaginative vistas. 2.3 Evoking Daily Life in Colonial Rio One of the painting’s greatest appeals lies in its portrayal of daily life during the colonial era. Men and women from various backgrounds populate the scene. Some appear to be carrying goods on their heads, a common practice in Brazil that has persisted through different centuries. Others appear to be haggling or trading near small vessels, revealing the commercial pulse of an active port city. This focus on local people, combined with the grandeur of merchant ships, captures the tension and synergy between the every day and the extraordinary—a hallmark of Brazilian colonial painting that balances the grand narratives of empire with the rhythms of ordinary life. 2.4 An Amalgamation of Neoclassical and Romantic Influences Although academic art in early 19th century Brazil was highly influenced by neoclassicism, the onset of romanticism can be spotted in the emotional portrayal of the sky, the lively palette, and the dramatic emphasis on nature’s beauty (the mountains, in particular). This duality reflects the fine arts tradition in Brazil during the transitional phase when artists were embracing multiple styles. As part of the School of Rio or the Rio de Janeiro school, painters often integrated academic techniques learned from European masters with emerging local subjects and influences. 3. Institutions and Artistic Movements 3.1 Imperial Academy of Fine Arts Originally known as the Royal School of Sciences, Arts, and Crafts, the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro was instrumental in shaping 19th-century Brazilian art. Influential artists and teachers from Portugal, France, and other European nations congregated at the Academy, imparting their expertise to native students. As the monarchy consolidated power, the Academy enjoyed royal patronage, leading to the creation of Imperial Academy-style works that combined European academic rigour with Brazilian-themed subject matter. 3.2 Impact of the French Artistic Mission The French Artistic Mission, which arrived in 1816, played a pivotal role in introducing advanced European artistic techniques, thereby elevating the overall quality of painting in Brazil. Artists like Jean-Baptiste Debret not only documented Brazilian society but also spearheaded the development of a local visual identity that aligned with both academicism and the national context of a blossoming empire. Debret, alongside others such as Nicolas-Antoine Taunay, mentored Brazilian artists, sowing the seeds of what would become the Brazilian academic art movement. 3.3 Religious, Historical, and Landscape Paintings In addition to everyday scenes and historical compositions, religious iconography remained crucial throughout Portuguese colonial and imperial Brazil. Churches were omnipresent in cityscapes like Rio de Janeiro. Many colonial-era Brazilian portraits...

Expressionist painting of a woman by Norman Mejia (1938-2012). The painting is oil on canvas. This painting is dated 1965 the same year he won the National Painting Award at the Bogo...

Wonderful painting on wood by Brazilian artist Alayde Lacerda. The painting features a villa set back in a valley with the mountains in the background. In front of the house is a gro...

Ingres Speltri Modernist Op Art Abstract Geometric Painting, Brazil Offered for sale is a modernist painting created by the listed Brazilian artist Ingres Speltri (b. 1940). The so...

"El Estafador" - A Captivating Oil on Canvas Masterpiece by Argentine Contemporary Artist Diego Cabral (2021) Step into the imaginative world of Diego Ca...

Landscapes, Xalapa, Mexico. Pair of oils on canvas. Spanish school, around 1840. Provenance: Conde de la Cortina collection, Jalapa, Mexico. Couple of landscapes framed within the Spanish school of the first half of the 19th century, with a clear romantic affiliation. Both evidence the knowledge of the Dutch classicist landscape, one of the main influences on the Spanish romantic landscape. Thus, we see compositions in "V", closed on the sides and open in the center, very low horizons that allow a wide development of the sky, spaces built in depth based on successive planes subtly differentiated by light and color, and small figures perfectly integrated into the natural setting. In addition, the skies are scenographic and dramatic, with low clouds behind which the golden light characteristic of the classicist landscape filters. One of the most radical aspects of romantic painting was the attempt to replace large canvases with historical or religious themes with landscapes. They wanted the pure landscape, almost figureless or totally devoid of them, to achieve the heroic significance of history painting. They were based on the idea that human feeling and nature should be complementary, one reflected in the other. In other words, the landscape should arouse emotion and transmit ideas. Thus, landscapers like the author of these canvases tried to express their feelings through the landscape, instead of imitating it. The romantic landscape had two main aspects: the dramatic one, with turbulent and fantastic views, and the naturalistic one, which emphasized images of a peaceful and serene nature. This second conception is what we see embodied in these works; the painter tries to communicate a religious reverence for the landscape, nature in its fullness. In fact, the author's own use of light here conveys a foggy, cloudy, dreamlike atmosphere that invites the viewer to meditate and contemplate himself in the landscape. The romantic landscape is constituted, however, by manifestations of very different types and not comparable to each other; it does not affect all national schools equally, staying more faithful to tradition in schools such as the French or the Dutch. Thus, in this canvas we do not find the grandiose scenery of the British and Germans, the steep mountains or the monumental Gothic ruin...

This exquisite 18th-century Peruvian oil on canvas is a masterful example of Spanish Colonial art, embodying the profound devotion and artistic sophistication of the period. The pain...

A large stunning painting from the legendary Amazonian artist Moacir Andrade "A Lenda Do Pacu" (The legend of the Pacu) Acrylic on canvas depicting a central Pacu which is a lar...

Presenting a rare and captivating Peruvian Cusco School painting from the mid 19th century, depicting the beloved figure of San Isidoro, the patron saint of farmers and laborers. Thi...

An exceptional early Cuzco School painting, naive depiction of the Holy Family, presented in a contemporary wooden frame. The Cuzco or Cusco school was a Roman Catholic artistic tradition that began in the 1500's in Peru, following the Spanish conquest and subsequent attempts by the Spanish invaders and missionaries to implement the Catholic faith and associated customs upon the Peruvian people. The school was established in the ancient city of Cusco which had previously been the capital of the Incan empire. Bernardo Bitti arrived in Peru in 1583, and with his arrival the acceleration of Cuzqueno Art flourished. During his two stays in Cusco, Bitti was commissioned to make the main altarpiece of the church of his Order, replaced by another after the earthquake, and painted some masterpieces, such as The Coronation of the Virgin, currently in the museum of the church of La Merced, and the Virgen del pajarito, in the cathedral. Cuzco School paintings are marked by their baroque influenced imagery and the subjects of the paintings shown with light focused upon them. Cuzco art...

This exquisite early 18th-century Spanish Colonial oil painting, originating from Bolivia, portrays “Mary, Queen of Heaven.” With meticulous craftsmanship, it illustrates the Coronat...

Abstract Painting "Desde Una Montaña" / "From a Mountain" by Artist William Stone William Stone was born in Caracas Venezuela in 1951. He has contributed to numerous exhibitions i...

A pair of Acrylic on panel paintings by the late Gaston Ugalde in custom made metal painted frames. These are from his 2005 exhibition. Gastón Ugalde (1 July 1944 – 14 October 2023) is considered the father of contemporary Bolivian art...

This magnificent early 18th century painting of an Angel Arcabucero. In eighteenth century Peru, extraordinary depictions of ángeles arcabuceros or an...

Nicolas Fasolino Realism Oil Painting on Canvas, Argentine Artist A still life composition executed in a realist medium by noted Argentine Artist Nicolas Fasolino signed lower right and dated '05. This oil on canvas depicts a candle-lit table...

An outstandig early 18th Century Spanish Colonial oil on canvas depicting Mary and The Holy Trinity, or "Mary Queen of Heaven". You can notice th...

This 17th-century oil on canvas from Spanish Colonial Peru features a striking depiction of Our Lady of Sorrows. The Virgin is shown with a somber expr...

This magnificent 18th-century Spanish Colonial oil painting is a remarkable example of religious art, showcasing a stunning depiction of the Dormition of the Virgin. Measuring grandl...

An outstanding abstract painting, oil on canvas in an oval form. Painted in 1971 by Argentine Artist Fernando Maza. Fernando Maza is an Argentinian Postwar & Contemporary painter...

An exquisite Spanish Colonial oil painting from the 18th century, depicting Saint Mary Magdalene in a richly detailed composition. This piece showcases the characteristic Cuzco Schoo...

Beautiful original oil painting done by Venezuelan artist José Alberto Mora. Neutral colors create a moody depiction of a Venezuelan town. Beiges and dark browns create a depth of em...

Pepe Romero (20th Century), “Garden in the City,” 1958 Oil on Burlap, Signed and Dated Vibrant and expressive, this 1958 abstract oil painting by Pepe Romero captures the bold spiri...

El pan nuestro de cada día I, 2005 Oil on canvas Alejandro Ortíz AWARDS 2005 Award Fernando Botero, Honorable Mention, Bogotá, Colombia 2000 Bronx Museum, Artists in The Marketpla...

Lovely Latin American oil on canvas painting by Argentine Antonio Osorio Luque from 1959. Named Palo Borracho which is the Argentine name for the Ceiba Speciosa or Silk Floss Tree. ...

Beautiful original oil painting done by Venezuelan artist José Alberto Mora. Neutral colors create a moody depiction of a Venezuelan town. Beiges and dark browns create a depth of em...

Vintage landscape Scene in hues of green and brown on canvas and fabric. Signed and numbered 12/120 by the Artist. Comes with a golden wood frame. Artwork size: 15.5 x 10 inches. O...