Description: This is an exceptional and Fine Vintage Antique Mexican Folk Art Modern Girl Portrait Oil Painting on canvas, by the esteemed and historically important Mexican folk artist, Agapito Labios (1898 - 1996.) This artwork depicts a young Mexican girl standing in a small, tiled courtyard, with a large Spanish Colonial church and various figures visible in the far distance. The subject is wearing an ornate and lovely lace dress with intricate embroidery and wears her hair in two pigtails with blue bows. She holds wheat in her right hand, a single pink flower in her left hand. Signed: "A. Labios" in the lower left corner. This piece likely dates to the late 1930's - 1940's. Approximately 24 3/4 x 30 3/4 inches (including frame.) Actual artwork is approximately 18 1/4 x 23 3/4 inches. Good condition for decades of age and storage, with one small tear in the upper left corner of the canvas, and moderate scuffing and edge wear to the vintage wood frame (please see photos.) Acquired from an old collection in Los Angeles County, California. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks! About the Artist: Agapito Labios Born: 1898 - Pachuca, Hidalgo, MexicoDied: 1996Known for: Folk art figure paintingName variants: Labios Agapito, Agipito Labios Artist's Biography:Agapito Labios (Mexican, 1898-1996). Agapito Labios was born Agapito Engel Cifuentes in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico in September of 1898. He took an active part in the Mexican Revolution and was put in prison. There he started painting the cell wall. The mayor of the town saw his paintings, liked them, and ordered him to paint his two little girls. Thus his artistic career began.Labios was a self taught artist and made his living doing portraits - painting his children in the primitive Mexican style. He started selling on Sundays in the Lagunilla (the thieves market) and immediately his fame began to grow. He later had a shop called Mercado de Artesanias at La Ciudadela in Mexico City where his work was sought out by collectors worldwide.He died in 1996, and his son currently owns the shop. Regalos Roberto, S.A. - Sinaloa, Mexico. Agapito Engel Cifuentes (alias) LABIOS Was born September 20th, 1898 - fought under Villa during Revolution of Mexico. Studied painting in Mexico City and decided on his own style. Taught painting to other artists. His drinking habits did not let him progress. Has shown in several cities in the United States and Europe. Only painter in the country of little girls and boys with Mexican landscape backgrounds, kitchen backgrounds, and flower backgrounds. Still alive and very active. Is shipping to art galleries in Spain, Germany, and France. Highly backed by Mrs. Echevarria, wife of the President of Mexico. Biography from Sotheby'sAgapito Labios: From jail cells to Sotheby's and Christie's: Mexican Artist Agapito Labios started his career from a jail cell. We take a look at his story and see how his work went from a jail cell to auctions at Sotheby's and Christie's.Published 21 June 2017Labios' active role in the Mexican Revolution landed him in jail. It was here that he started painting on his jail cell wall. His works were spotted by the mayor of Pachuca, who ordered Labios to teach his two daughters, spurring on Labios' career.Agapito went on to make a living out of his Folk art figure paintings. The artist's work is defined by his highly stylized portraits, often with children as the subjects in formal dress, with typical Mexican backgrounds such as farming fields and or town squares.Labios sold his work in La Lagunilla Market, in Mexico City, on Sundays, gaining him popularity and success. This lead to Agapito opening his own shop in Mexico City, which his son took ownership of after Labios' death in 1996.Works by Agapito were sold in the sale of Katharine Hepburn's estate on June 10, 2004, at Sotheby's, New York.
Price: 2750 USD
Location: Orange, California
End Time: 2024-12-30T23:58:53.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Artist: Agapito Labios
Signed By: Agapito Labios
Size: Medium
Signed: Yes
Period: Art Deco (1920-1940)
Material: Canvas, Oil
Region of Origin: California, USA
Framing: Framed
Subject: Botanical, Boys, Children & Infants, Cityscapes, Community Life, Costumes, Family, Figures, Flowers, Ladies, Landscape, Plants, Silhouettes, Still Life, Tree, Women, Working Life, Mexico
Type: Painting
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Item Height: 30 3/4 in
Theme: Architecture, Art, Cities & Towns, Continents & Countries, Cultures & Ethnicities, Domestic & Family Life, Exhibitions, Fashion, Floral, History, People, Portrait, Western
Style: Figurative Art, Folk Art, Mexican, Modernism, Portraiture
Features: One of a Kind (OOAK)
Production Technique: Oil Painting
Country/Region of Manufacture: Mexico
Item Width: 24 3/4 in
Handmade: Yes
Time Period Produced: 1925-1949
