Visual Arts

Arts in the Dominican Republic

Like many former colonies, the Dominican Republic’s national “style” of art emerged only after finally gaining independence from Spain in the year 1865. What resulted was a mixture of African and indigenous symbols, folklore and mythology with a touch of European influence remaining. Here are some of the Dominican Republic’s most renowned artists.

Yoryi Morel (1906-1979) — Recognized as the creator of the “authentic Dominican painting.” Historian Emilio Rodriguez Demorizi describes the significance of Morel’s contributions to Dominican art: “He has given us the most wide and real vision of the native, of our costumes. In his portraits, in his landscapes, in his peasants, is the resignation of sadness, the rustic and lonely soul from the Dominican happiness that comes up.”

Celeste Woss y Gil (1890-1985) — Expressed her thoughts and feelings on life in the Dominican Republic through her art, particularly regarding race and ethnicity. She was the first woman to present an individual exhibition of her work in the Dominican Republic.

Jaime Colson (1901-1975) — Studying in Europe allowed Colson’s work to be influenced by the likes of Picasso, Braque y Leger. He also spent time in Mexico and Cuba, and worked as an art professor and director. His art took on the styles of cubism, surrealism and neo-classicalism.

Luis Desangles (1861-1940) — Born to French parents, Desangles created a large quantity of portraits, among other impressionistic works.

Tony Capellan (1955- ) — Capellan creates art out of fragments of materials and debris, which is manifested in many forms, from painting to sculpture. His pieces deal with the anguish of hunger, poverty and the exploitation of man.

Elvis Aviles (1965- ) — After graduating with honors from the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes in the Dominican Republic, Aviles’s paintings represent the rich textures of his environment. Several of his works have been included in the National Encyclopedia of the Dominican Arts by author Candido Geron.

Fernando Urena Rib (1951- ) — Born in La Romana and a graduate of the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes, Urena Rib has been prominent in the world of Dominican art since the age of 17, and is now internationally revered. He paints beautiful abstracts and sensual female nudes.

Art Museums in the Dominican Republic

Museo de Arte Moderno — This museum was inaugurated in 1976 as the Gallery of Modern Art. It contains works of art from the year of the country’s independence (1844), up to present-day contemporary artists. It features both paintings and sculpture by national, as well as international artists. Numerous exhibition rooms on four floors, with an auditorium capable of holding 150 people and a library specializing in Dominican art make this museum incredibly important to the Dominican Republic. Calle Pedro Henriquez Urena, Plaza de la Cultura, Santo Domingo. 809-685-2154, Admission $20RD. 10am-6pm, closed on Mondays.

Museo Bellapart — Opened in 1996, the Museo Bellapart is Santo Domingo’s largest private art collection, and the only private museum in existence dedicated to Dominican art. This collection, owner by Juan Jose Bellapart, takes the visitor through a century and a half of cultural and political evolution (and revolution.) Examples from all four periods of Dominican art history are on display, to include works by Luis Desangles, Yoryi Morel, Jose Vela Zanetti and Gilberto Hernandez, among numerous others. Located on the fifth floor of the Honda building at the corner of Avenida John F. Kennedy and Dr. Luis Lember Peguero, Naco, Santo Domingo. 809-541-7721
www.museobellapart.com

Museo Tomás Morel – Local folklore museum in Santiago, featuring a beautiful collection of colorful Carnaval masks. Ave. Restauración #175, Santiago de Los Caballeros, 809-582-6787.

Museo Casa de Tostado — It’s mission is the conservation and exposition of art about the local life and decorative art of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Calle Arzobispo Meriño, corner of Calle Padre Billini, Ciudad Colonial Santo Domingo. 809-689-5000.

Museo de la Cerámica Contemporánea — Contemporary ceramic art. Calle Víctor Garrido Puello, No. 130, Edif. Metropolitano, Santo Domingo. 809-540-4350.

Sala de Arte Prehispánica — State collection of pre-Columbian art. Avenida San Martín Esq. John F. Kennedy Edificio Pepsi, Santo Domingo. 809-540-7777 Ext. 235.

Museo de la Porcelana — Collection of porcelain art. Calle José Reyes, No. 6, Ciudad Colonial Santo Domingo. 809-688-4759.

Museo de Arte Taino — Collection of pre-Columbian artifacts of the indigenous Tainos. Plaza Arawack, 2nd Floor, San Felipe, Puerto Plata. Telf. 809-586-7601.