Page 351 - Arte e Historia
P. 351
Art and History
at the Banco popular dominicano visual arts collection
Yoryi Morel. Was born in Santiago de los Caballeros in studies academy, becoming at the same time a professor
at the Secondary School and the School of Arts and
1906. Sin his early years showed strong vocation for music Professions. From these institutions, he gives an im-
and painting. At the age of 9, in a hut on his family house pulse to the local artistic pictorial tradition.
backyard he called «The good fortune,» he created a hand
made magazine containing his own little drawings. In «The Sánchez Street Houses,» no date. Small format
1922, he was 16 years old, painted «The Carpenter» one of painting accredited to «The Lion» as the bachelors used
his firsts oil painting. In 1923 starts «Self-portrait» a mixed to call the renowned professor who, at the times, stab-
media drawing completed by 1927, same year of his first lished strong links with Yoryi Morel. Most probably Bau-
«Don Toñe,» a portrait of a well-known homeless person. tista breed into Yoryi the experience of outdoors paint-
It is shown on the First National Fair of Agriculture, Farm- ing. It is accepted that both artists even painted same
ing, Industry and Art, held in Yaque city. Since he refused themes, as in the case os this piece, «The Sánchez Street
to pursue university studies, his mother give him her own Houses,» very similar in composition, colours and lu-
bedchamber, transform in an Atelier, so he can multiply minous palette. In the forefront, the yellowish ground
his pictorial production. In the early 1930’s he is discover street; in the background, the partial representation of
by a journalist from Santo Domingo. By Octuber, 1932, two shacks, zinc pitched roofs, different on angle and
already enjoys his first individual exhibition at «Nosotras size. The biggest one, in masonry and three green doors;
Club,» introduced by the poet Tomás Hernández Franco, Also green is the wooden house with two open doors,
who stated: «Yoryi is not a promise. Yoryi is a painter who con- eaves and air vents. This was the cabin where Yoryi had
firms whatever implies that word of categorical and high». his pictorial atelier.
«Self-portrait» 1923-1927. The charcoal drawing defines Despite the paintings similarities, even if both were
the painter’s outline at his 17 years old. The youthful crowned by tree foliages and is visible the triangle of a
face, looking straightforward to us, still affable. The beret third house roof; both pictures differ on the signature.
defines the the artist’s time, his body tilted, carry in a One is signed by Yoryi with no date of production. The
helmet and sword fashion, a huge palette and a large pen- other one has no signature nor date. Master Gómez, of-
cil. A frame at his back. Lights and shadows in watered ten omitted to sign his pieces.
sepia, seems to justify two different times of realization
as the years mark show, as well as the two different signa- Celeste Woss y Gil. native from the capital city, Santo
tures in italic: J.O. Morel and Yoryi. Morel. «Self-portrait
2,» no date. Oil painting. The painter’s image youthful as Domingo, was born in 1890. She was the daughter of
well, may be in his 20’s. A juicy palette in a wide tonal a cultured man, enthusiastic for the arts and former
range of shades. The artist express what we might call as President of the Republic who, in 1903, leave to the ex-
a reiterative self-perceptive stance. ile in France with his wife and three children. They live
in Paris for nine years. The Woss y Gil family transfer
Juan Bautista Gómez. Was born in Santiago de los to Santiago de Cuba, allowed the two daughters, Ana
María and Celeste, get into the city’s Academy of Paint-
Caballeros in 1870. Drawer, sculptor, photographer ing. Celeste Woss y Gill travels to New York to broaden
and painter; in his youth execute the Evangelist medal- her formation at The National Academy and The Art
lions for his native city Church. Then he left for Puerto Students League in 1922-1924. Then, goes back to her
Rico and later on travels to Paris where he is appointed native city, and opens an Art Atelier. There, she exhibits
as a Consul. Back to Santiago, he establishes an artistic her paintings and starts her work as an art teacher. She
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