Virgen de la Caridad

"The Virgin of Charity" by Zaida del Rio is a figurative work of art made of acrylics on canvas.

This artwork is a bustling composition filled with intricate, abstract patterns and a variety of figures that appear interwoven across the canvas. The dominant colors are shades of red, yellow, and black, creating a rich tapestry of hues. Central to the image is a figure resembling a traditional depiction of the Virgin of the Copper Charity, characterized by a halo and regal attire, including what seems to be a crown or headpiece. The figure holds a child, suggesting a maternal theme, reminiscent of classic Madonna and Child representations.

Surrounding the central figure are numerous other faces and figures, all tightly packed to form a continuous, fluid design. The faces vary in and orientation, some looking straight out at the viewer, while others are in profile or angled away. The patterns and motifs are reminiscent of folk art, with a sense of vibrancy and life.

The dense patterning and the way the figures merge with the abstract elements give the impression of a collective narrative or a community bound together by shared identity or purpose. The style is evocative and expressive, with a raw, almost primal energy that suggests movement and the interconnectedness of life. The bottom of the artwork features a signature and a date, anchoring it in a specific time and attributing it to the artist.

Born in Cuba, Zaida del Rio represents an artists of a generation. As a specialist in the figurative style of art she has toured all over the world from France, Florence, Japan, el Cairo and of course Cuba. She is a graduated from Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris and has managed to marry the colonial style of Cuban art with a mixture of a European style.