María del Carmen Árraga
 | This article is an orphan, as no other articles link to it. Please introduce links to this page from related articles; try the Find link tool for suggestions. (November 2024) |
María del Carmen Árraga | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 May 1840 Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Died | Unknown |
| Nationality | Uruguayan |
| Known for | Painting |
| Notable work | portraits of prominent Uruguayan political figures such as Venancio Flores, Tomás Gomensoro, Alejandro Chucarro, Joaquín Suárez and José Gervasio Artigas |
| Awards | the Senate original monetary award 1882 |
María del Carmen Árraga (born 14 May 1840, Montevideo, Uruguay) was a distinguished Uruguayan painter known for her portraits and still-life compositions, as well as for her role as one of the first notable female artists in 19th-century Uruguay. Árraga was a disciple of the celebrated artist Juan Manuel Blanes, who greatly influenced her work.[1]
Early life and artistic beginnings
[edit]Árraga began her career focusing on landscape painting but soon transitioned to portraiture and still-life compositions. In 1869, she exhibited her artwork publicly, marking an important milestone in her career and establishing her as an artist of repute in Uruguay.[1]
Scholarship and challenges
[edit]In 1870, Árraga became the first female artist in Uruguay to receive a government scholarship for studies in Europe. However, due to family obligations, she was unable to take advantage of this opportunity.[1]
Notable works
[edit]Among Árraga's most significant works are portraits of prominent Uruguayan political figures such as Venancio Flores, Tomás Gomensoro, Alejandro Chucarro, and Joaquín Suárez. A standout piece in her oeuvre is a portrait of José Gervasio Artigas, created around 1863, which is regarded as one of the earliest known depictions of the national hero. This portrait remains an important part of the collection at the Museo Histórico Nacional in Montevideo.[2]
In 1869, Árraga painted a portrait of Joaquín Suárez, which she dedicated to the General Assembly of Uruguay. For this, she was awarded a prize of 1,000 pesos by the Senate. She later petitioned that this prize be converted into a scholarship for further studies in Europe. Although initially approved, Árraga was unable to travel due to personal reasons. In 1882, she petitioned the Senate to receive the original monetary award instead, which was granted the following year.[3]
Legacy
[edit]The exact date and circumstances of María del Carmen Árraga's death remain unknown. However, her pioneering contributions to Uruguayan art and her role in paving the way for female artists in her country continue to be celebrated.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Catalogo Digital de Artistas Visuales de Uruguay, Árraga, María Del Carmen".
- ^ "Arraga, María del Carmen – Archivo X". archivox.uy. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
- ^ Hernández, Publicado por Hortensia. "María del Carmen Árraga pintora uruguaya". Retrieved 2024-11-03.