Alfredo Ramos Martínez beautifully depicts Indigenous Mexican life in Las vendedoras de flores.
Las vendedoras de flores, 1935-38 • Alfredo Ramos Martinez Tempura and pastel on heavy cardboard • Bequest of Putnam Dana McMillan • 84.19
Alfredo Ramos Martínez painted the Art in Bloom 2025 signature piece Las vendedoras de flores late in his career while living in Los Angeles. He and his family relocated to California in 1929 on the recommendation of his doctors because his daughter needed medical treatment.
Upon his arrival, Ramos Martínez was welcomed by the Hollywood community where he was able to exhibit his artwork, and count on commissions and support of the public.
His best work came at this time, as he focused on his heritage and depicted the Indigenous of Mexico with empathy and joy. Las vendedoras de flores is a fine example that shows a procession of traditional young Indigenous women bringing flowers to market. He portrays them with serenity and elegance in luminous colors.
In this superbly executed painting, one cannot only see the artist’s love for his homeland, but also the extraordinary talent and skill acquired from rich and diverse life experiences.
Born in Monterrey, Mexico in 1871, Ramos Martínez began painting at an early age. After a portrait that he had painted of the governor of his state received an award in an exhibit in San Antonio, Texas, he was offered a scholarship to the renowned Academy of Fine Arts in Mexico City.
Good fortune came his way in the late 1890s, when then-President of Mexico Porfirio Díaz asked him to paint a special menu for a dinner in honor of Phoebe Apperson Hearst, the mother of William Randolph Hearst. She was struck by his talent and supported his travel and stay in Paris, where he remained until 1909.
While in Paris, he became part of intellectual circles of other young Latin American artists and formed a close friendship with the well-known Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío. Ramos Martínez also met prominent artists, including Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, Joaquín Sorolla Bastida, and Auguste Rodin. He explored different artistic styles and was particularly attracted to landscape painting.
Upon his return to Mexico, he rejoined the community at the Academy of Fine Arts in Mexico City, where he used the influences he learned in Europe to expand the School of Plein Air Painting. He was awarded the title of the Father of Modern Art. At this time he taught many aspiring young artists such as Rufino Tamayo (Mia’s The Family). In 1920 he became the director of the academy where he had studied and taught.
The Twin Cities community will have the opportunity to see the beautiful Las vendedoras de flores interpreted by floral artists at Art in Bloom 2025 April 24-27.
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