WORK | Antonio Gattorno

WORK

Gattorno's early work became the precedent for Cuban Modern Primitivism. His later work incorporated elements of surrealistic romanticism, classical composition, and abstractionism.

Gattorno's later work incorporated elements of surrealistic romanticism, classical composition, and abstractions. He shifted his focus from showing the exterior social life of his subjects to a greater concern for illustrating their internal psychological existence. He demonstrated his mastery of abstract-expressionist techniques, classical composition, and surreal perspective, but maintained his commitment to narrative, subject, and the illusion of three-dimensional space.

Gattorno's early work became the precedent for Cuban Modern Primitivism and set the standard for the generation of Cuban painters known as the Vanguardia. The Cuban countryside and rural working class became central motifs in Gattorno’s artwork. He depicted Afro-Cuban traditions, peasant life, and the struggles of common people with dignity and intensity. His portrayals were not romanticized, but honest, often highlighting the silent strength of his subjects. This thematic focus aligned with the growing sense of national identity in post-independence Cuba.