Artist
Héctor Ragni(Argentinean, 1897–1952)Argentinean, 1897–1952
CultureArgentinean
Titles
- Paisaje constructivo de Montevideo
- Constructivist Landscape of Montevideo
Date1935
PlaceMontevideo, Uruguay
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions31 × 25 3/4 in. (78.7 × 65.4 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Latin Maecenas and ArteBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Object number2005.354
Current Location
The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building
Gallery 205
On view
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Department
Latin American ArtObject Type
This is one of the first Constructive Universalist works
produced in South America. It represents the dynamism of the urban environment
condensed into essential, archetypal pictograms ordered along the orthogonal
grid. However, Ragni loosens the structure’s rigidity, allowing his pictographs
and color planes to move from one compartment to another. Furthermore, his symbols
remain organic as he imbues them with references to the outside world,
including the city and the port.
ProvenanceThe artist; [Cecilia de Torres, Ltd., New York]; sold to MFAH, 2005.
Exhibition History"Brought to Light: Recent Acquisitions in Latin American Art", The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Lower Jones, Masterson, and Lovett Galleries, August 13, 2005 - January 2, 2006.
"Constructed Dialogues: Concrete, Geometric, and Kinetic Art from the Latin American Art Collection," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 16 September, 2012 - 6 January, 2013.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Marked on verso upper canvas: "[signature] As.A.Cuo(?) / ¦Paisaje urbano¦"
Marked on verso upper left: "Héctor Ragni"
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.
Julio Alpuy
c. 1950
Graphite and ink on paper
2010.2203
