Carlos Alonso

Key facts

Born

1929, Argentine^[1]

Movement

• social realism

^[1]

Works held in

1 museum

Wikipedia

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• What is Carlos Alonso known for?+

  Carlos Alonso is known as a draughtsman of precision and expressive range. His illustrated editions of *Don Quixote* (1957) and *Martín Fierro* (1959) established him, and he is also known for a series of 250 works drawn from Dante's *Divine Comedy* in 1967.
• What is Carlos Alonso's most famous work?+

  Alonso Cano's most admired painting during his lifetime was The Miracle of the Well, dating from around 1646 to 1648. The work was part of the high altar retable of the church of Santa Maria de la Almudena. The church, located in Madrid, no longer exists. The painting depicts a miracle performed by Saint Isidro Labrador, who is the patron saint of Madrid. The story shows Isidro praying after his young son fell into a well. As he prayed, the water level rose, bringing the child to the surface. The painting shows St. Isidro with arms spread in prayer. His wife, Maria Torribia (also known as Santa María de la Cabeza), is shown lifting the child from the well. Other figures are included in the scene, such as children and women, who are discussing the miracle. The Museo del Prado acquired the painting in 1941. Although the canvas has been cropped on both sides and is not well conserved, its quality and originality are still apparent.
• What should I know about Carlos Alonso's prints?+

  Prints can be divided into two main types: original prints and reproductions. Original prints are produced by hand, with the artist creating the artwork directly on the plate, woodblock, stone, or screen. These include woodcuts, engravings, linocuts, mezzotints, etchings, lithographs and serigraphs. Each print is considered an original because the artist creates the artwork directly. These are often sold through specialist print galleries, frame shops and fine-art galleries. Reproductions are produced by photochemical means, such as offset lithography. The plates used in reproductions do not wear out, so there are no physical limits on the number of prints that can be made. Giclée prints are fine-art prints made using colour-copier technology. Canvas transfers are images printed onto canvas, giving the work the look of a painting. The Professional Art Dealers Association of Canada defines an original print as an image conceived by the artist as a print and executed solely as a print, usually in a numbered edition, and signed by the artist. Each print in the edition is an original, printed from a plate, stone, screen, block or other matrix created for that purpose.
• What style or movement did Carlos Alonso belong to?+

  It is difficult to assign Carlos Alonso to a single style or movement because art-historical categorisation is a complex matter. Styles are often defined in opposition to one another, and the analysis of style can extend beyond the purely visual to include social and political contexts. Some art historians use Marxist theory to analyse art styles, seeing emerging realism, for example, as a manifestation of artistic freedom connected to the rise of the bourgeoisie. This approach considers the interaction of styles and the psychology of the artist, but it is not without its challenges. Some arguments may prove incorrect over time. Nevertheless, such work remains important in the development of a social history of art. The ambition of such analyses means that corroboration through illustrative materials can be difficult.
• What techniques or materials did Carlos Alonso use?+

  Carlos Alonso is an Argentinian artist known for his expressive figuration and use of varied media. He was born in 1929^[1]. Alonso's early work included woodcuts and lithographs. These prints often display strong contrasts and social themes. He also explored drawing, watercolour, and tempera. During the 1960s, Alonso began creating figurative paintings that combined elements of expressionism and surrealism. These paintings often incorporate collage and mixed media. Alonso has experimented with different supports, including canvas, paper, and board. Later in his career, Alonso continued to explore a range of techniques, including sculpture and ceramics. Throughout his career, Alonso has been interested in the expressive possibilities of different materials and processes. He often combines techniques in a single work to create complex and layered images.
• What was Carlos Alonso known for?+

  Carlos Alonso is known for his social and political commentary, often expressed through Realist imagery. His work frequently addressed the abuses of power and injustices suffered by the working class. Alonso's approach aligned with Realism, a movement that gained traction in France around the 1840s. Realist artists aimed to depict contemporary society and events, rather than historical or mythological subjects. This artistic direction was partly a reaction against the Academy's preference for classical themes. Realism also became associated with socialist ideas, which were spreading due to the difficult conditions faced by workers in factories and the growing poverty in rural areas. Like Honoré Daumier, Alonso used his art to protest against social and political issues. Daumier's lithograph Rue Transnonain, April 15, 1834, for instance, responded to an injustice committed under Louis Philippe, aiming to ignite viewers' anger. Such artists often faced censorship and even imprisonment for their bold statements.
• When did Carlos Alonso live and work?+

  Carlos Alonso is an Argentinian painter, draughtsman, and printmaker. He was born in Tunuyán, Mendoza Province, on 4 February 1929^[1]. Alonso's early work engaged with social realism^[1]. His imagery often explores themes of violence, injustice, and political oppression, particularly during periods of political turmoil in Argentina. His work from the 1960s is particularly concerned with human suffering. In 1976, during the military dictatorship in Argentina, Alonso was forced into exile. This was after his son was disappeared by the regime. He lived in Italy and then Spain. During his time away from Argentina, his art continued to reflect on the political situation in his home country. He returned to Argentina in 1984, after the restoration of democracy. Alonso has received several awards and honours for his contributions to Argentinian art. His work has been exhibited widely both in Argentina and internationally. He continues to live and work in Argentina.
• Where can I see Carlos Alonso's work?+

  While it is difficult to provide a comprehensive list of every location displaying Carlos Alonso's art, several museums have collections that include similar art. These museums might be good places to start your search. In the United States, you could try the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park, Florida, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, or the Wolfsonian at Florida International University in Miami Beach. In Canada, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto may hold relevant works. In the UK, consider the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, the Geffrye Museum in London, the Manchester Art Gallery, or the National Museums of Scotland Royal Museum in Edinburgh. Other European options are the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon, the Museu d’Art Modern in Barcelona, the Museo Art Nouveau y Art Deco in Salamanca, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, or the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nancy.
• Where was Carlos Alonso from?+

  Carlos Alonso is an Argentinian artist, born in Tunuyán, Mendoza Province, in 1929^[1]. His early artistic training took place in Mendoza, where he studied at the Fine Arts Academy. Later, he moved to Buenos Aires, a major cultural centre, to continue his development as an artist. Alonso's work often explores Argentinian history and political themes. His imagery can be quite powerful, reflecting periods of social and political upheaval in Argentina. He is particularly known for his figurative work and his skill in capturing human emotion. Throughout his career, Alonso has exhibited extensively both in Argentina and internationally. His art is held in numerous public and private collections. He has received several awards and honours in recognition of his contribution to Argentinian art. He continues to live and work in Argentina.
• Who did Carlos Alonso influence?+

  Carlos Alonso's influence is most visible in the generation of Argentinian artists who followed his politically charged figurative works of the 1960s and 1970s. His bold approach to social commentary, often expressed through distorted figures and unsettling imagery, provided a model for later artists dealing with similar themes of political violence and social injustice. While it is difficult to pinpoint exact names, his impact can be seen in the work of artists who emerged during and after the Argentinian military dictatorship (1976-1983^[1]). Many of these artists adopted a critical stance towards the regime, using art as a form of resistance and a means of giving voice to the victims of repression. Alonso's earlier example provided a vocabulary for expressing the unspeakable. His work also had an impact on younger artists interested in exploring the possibilities of figurative painting as a vehicle for social and political critique. This influence extends beyond Argentina, as Alonso's art has been exhibited internationally and his themes resonate with artists in other countries grappling with issues of political conflict and human rights.
• Who influenced Carlos Alonso?+

  Carlos Alonso's early artistic development involved an engagement with Cubism. He saw a Cubist still life by Braque in Caracas, which sparked his interest. Despite limited resources in Caracas, Alonso sought to understand Cubism and the work of Picasso. He also studied Cézanne and van Gogh. Later, Alonso became interested in the work of Mondrian and sought to introduce movement into his compositions. However, after seeing Broadway Boogie-Woogie, he realised Mondrian had already addressed this issue. Alonso then explored the work of Moholy-Nagy, Calder, Marcel Duchamp, and Gabo. He aimed to build upon the ideas of these artists, attempting to provide answers to the questions they had posed. He also expressed interest in the perspective techniques of Klee and the work of Albers.
• Who was Carlos Alonso?+

  Carlos Alonso, born in 1929^[1] in Mendoza, Argentina, is an artist known for his figurative work, often with social and political themes. Alonso's artistic career began in the 1950s. His work gained recognition for its expressive power and critical commentary. During the 1960s, he was part of the Otra Figuración group, along with Luis Felipe Noé, Ernesto Deira, and Rómulo Macció. This group moved away from abstraction, revaluing the human figure in art. His art often reflects the turbulent political climate of Argentina. During the military dictatorship in the 1970s, Alonso faced persecution and was forced into exile. He lived in Europe before eventually returning to Argentina. Alonso has worked in various media, including painting, drawing, and printmaking. His subject matter includes portraits, scenes of everyday life, and allegorical compositions. His art is characterised by its strong sense of emotion and its exploration of the human condition.