Felix Parras, 17 Nov 1845 – 9 Feb 1919
Born in Michoacán, Felix Parras was a “transitional” artist, still in the academic style favored throughout the 19th century, but with a twist, less a mentor than an inspiration to the great 20th century Mexican painters. Diego Rivera was just one of his several pupils (although one he particularly mentored) during his stint as director of the Academia San Carlos
Although still in the accepted European style, Parras was a pioneer in his subject matter. Unlike the colonial and early 19th century painters, his paintings reflected purely Mexican… not the glories of Spanish colonial history, nor Catholic themes (although both are reflected in his work), nor were they depictions of the “colorful” and “exotic” Mexican landscape and peoples, but of triumph and tragedy that created the Mexican identity.
Fray Bartolome de las Casas, 1876
Una escena de la Conquista, 1877
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