BODEGÓNES
Discover the essence of bodegones through the works of renowned artist Jose Rodeiro, where tradition and modernity meet.
Contemporary Art
Spanish Tradition
Visual Expression
“Els Quatre Gats Café,”
oil on velvet, 16” x 21,” 1987.
The Tradition of Bodegones
The tradition of bodegón painting is a fundamental part of Spanish art, emerging in the early 17th century in Toledo. Blas de Prado and his student Juan Sánchez Cotán were pioneers of this style, which depicts inanimate objects related to the preparation and consumption of food, often interacting with living beings. This art form not only captures the essence of everyday life but also reflects the cultural richness of the period.
“Sunflowers.”
oil on wood, 30” x 28,”1999. [In 2023, Bitter Oleander Press (Fayetteville, NY) published “Gathering Sunlight” a joint poetry book co-authored by poets Silvia Scheibli and Patty Dickson Pieczka with Rodeiro’s “Sunflowers” on the cover].
The Tradition of Bodegones
“Rubén Darío’s ‘Azul.”
1,” oil on canvasboard, 18” x 24.” 2009.
“Bar Meliton 1 (Dawn).”
oil on canvasboard, 16” x 20,” 2008.
“Bar Meliton 2 (Dusk).”
oil on canvasboard, 16” x 20”, 2008.
“Bodegón with My Russian Blue Cat ‘Baast,’”
acrylic on canvasboard, 16” x 20,” 2019
“Homage to Donna Tartt 2,”
acrylic on board, 19” x 14”. 2019.
“Rubén Darío’s ‘AZUL’ # 2.”
oil on canvasboard, 27” x 31,” 2014.
“Continental Shelf,”
ink and acrylic on paper, 11” x 14,” 2019.
Nicaraguan Bodegón with Pears & Pansies,”
oil on canvasboard, 18” x 24,” 1999.
[Surrounded by Pre-Columbian ceramic artifacts, fruits & flowers, the composition presents two tall glass bottles containing toy versions of carved basalt warriors from Zapatera Island, Lake Nicaragua. The Zapatera Island statuary was carved between 800 CE and 1200 CE. Rodeiro saw the massive (7 ft tall) ancient works in the San Francisco Convent Museum, Granada, Nicaragua and decided to shrink their size & place “imagined” toy model versions of the statues within glass bottles].
Distinctive Characteristics
Elements of Bodegones
Interaction with Life
Jose Rodeiro’s bodegones stand out for the harmonious interaction between inanimate objects and living beings, creating a unique visual narrative.
Everyday Objects
The paintings capture the essence of ordinary objects, transforming them into protagonists of rich and detailed visual narratives.
Colors and Textures
The masterful use of colors and textures in Rodeiro’s works evokes a sense of realism and depth, transporting the viewer into the scene.
Tradition and Innovation
Rodeiro combines traditional techniques with innovative approaches, revitalizing the bodegón genre for contemporary audiences.
Visual Narratives
Each painting tells a story, inviting the viewer to explore the relationships between the elements present in the work.
Historical Influences
Inspired by masters of the past, Rodeiro brings a modern touch to his works, keeping the tradition of bodegones alive.
“Eve’s Eden Bodegón (alluding to Gustave Courbet’s ‘The Origin of the World’),”
acrylic on canvas, 10” x 14,” 2009.