Original Mid-Century Mexican Modernist Painting on Burlap: Boy With Watermelon by Jose Maria De Servin (1917-1983)

Details

Description

This striking original mixed-media work is a quintessential example of the "rough boldness" that defined the mature career of acclaimed … Read more This striking original mixed-media work is a quintessential example of the "rough boldness" that defined the mature career of acclaimed Mexican modernist José María de Servín. Executed on a coarse burlap (jute) support, the piece features a charming, naive portrait of a boy cradling a vibrant slice of watermelon—a recurring and highly coveted motif in de Servín’s body of work.

About the Artist: Born in 1917, de Servín was a distinguished member of the "Pintores Jóvenes de Jalisco" (Young Painters of Jalisco) and a prestigious protégé of the legendary muralist José Clemente Orozco, with whom he collaborated on major mural commissions in Guadalajara. His unique style, often described as a "melancholy and placid sweetness," masterfully synthesizes European Cubist geometry with the soulful aesthetic of traditional Mexicanidad.

Technical Details & Condition:

Signature: Hand-signed "JOSE MARIA DE SERVIN" in the upper left corner.

Medium: Thinned oil or mixed media on original coarse burlap.

Dimensions: Approximately 20.5" W × 27.75" H (including frame).

Framing: Housed in a period-appropriate, hand-finished Mexican wood frame that serves as an integral part of its mid-century identity.

Condition: Excellent vintage condition. The rough texture of the burlap is well-preserved, and the pigments remain vibrant. Minor cosmetic wear to the frame is consistent with age and adds to its authentic estate-found character. See less