Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta
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| Born |
Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta
June 24, 1870 |
| Died | January 11, 1933 |
| Occupation | Sculptor, painter, photographer, educator |
Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta (born June 24, 1870 – died January 11, 1933) was a talented artist from the Dominican Republic. He was a sculptor, photographer, painter, and even an educator. He created many artworks and is seen as one of the first important modern artists in his country. He helped shape Dominican sculpture, photography, and painting.
Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta made many portraits, statues, and paintings. His art often showed important moments in the country's history. He also captured the lives of leaders, business people, and families of his time.
In 1908, he opened his own art school. It taught drawing, painting, and sculpture. Many famous artists learned there, like Celeste Woss y Gil and Delia Weber. He ran his school until he passed away in 1933.
Today, you can find many of his works in museums in Santo Domingo. His famous statue, "Caonabo," stands at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. There are also copies of this statue in Mirador Park and Santiago. A street in Santo Domingo is named after him. His childhood home is now a museum, keeping his photos and art safe. Two photography contests are also named in his honor.
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Biography
Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta was born in Santo Domingo on June 24, 1870. His mother was Isabel Rodríguez Urdaneta, from Venezuela. His father was Dr. Manuel Guerrero Peña, who loved music and painting. Abelardo had two sisters, Eloísa and Rosalía.
Early Art Training
When he was 13, Abelardo joined an art workshop. It was run by Juan Fernández Corridor, a Spanish painter. Later, he studied with Luis Desangles, a famous Dominican painter. Abelardo showed his art in the First National Art Show in 1890. He exhibited alongside his teachers and other students.
He also learned photography from Julio Pou and Francisco Adrover. By 1894, he became a professional photographer. He quickly became one of the most popular photographers in the country.
Family Life
Abelardo married Graciela Núñez. They had five children together. Their children were Elena, Rafael, Abelardito, José Angel, and one child who died young. He faced challenges later in life, including losing some of his artworks in a hurricane in 1930.
Artistic Career
Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta was a leading photographer in the Dominican Republic. He took pictures of many important people of his time. In 1898, his photo of Arturo Pellerano Alfau was published. This was one of the first photos in a Dominican magazine.
Photography Studio as a Cultural Hub
By 1901, his photography studio became a popular meeting place. Many famous people visited it. These included politicians and artists like José Martí and Eugenio de Hostos.
Painting Style and Famous Works
In 1890, Abelardo painted a portrait of Juan Pablo Duarte. Duarte was one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic. This painting is now the most recognized image of Duarte. Abelardo's portraits and paintings often had a romantic or classical style.
Father of Modern Dominican Sculpture
Rodríguez Urdaneta is also known as the father of modern Dominican sculpture. In 1903, he created his most famous sculpture, "One of many." It shows a wounded soldier. This artwork brought him much recognition. Another famous sculpture is "Caonabo." It shows a Taíno rebel and reminds people of the unfair treatment of the island's native people.
Opening an Art Academy
In 1908, he opened his own academy for art. The government, led by Ramón Cáceres, supported him. He taught drawing, painting, and sculpture there. Many future artists learned from him until his death.
Politics
Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta was against the First U.S. Occupation from 1916 to 1924. He created a powerful poster called "Invocación." It showed the Dominican Republic as a woman with her arms raised. Her hands were held by the claws of an eagle. This poster became very well known across the country.
Selected works
- El Extraviado
- Los Jugadores
- Juramento de Duarte
- Cupido
- Pedazo de costa
- Recuerdos del Sur
- El Menphis
- El Castini
- A la mar
- Paisaje del crepúsculo
- Barcas
- Abnegación
- La libertad de Cuba
- El asesinato del Presidente Ramón Cáceres
- Horacio Vásquez
- Escudo Constitucional Dominicano
- La figura de Juan Pablo Duarte
- La Libertad
- La Independencia
- Invocación
- Cabeza de indio Siboney
- Los náufragos del tres de Septiembre
- El último Tributo
Gallery
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Rodriguez Urdaneta, "El extraviado.” 1907
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Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta. Perfil de Mujer, Year unknown / Sin fecha.
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Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta. “Miseria Humana. c. unknown
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Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta. Self portrait with Duarte bust. C. unknown
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Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta. Eugenio María de Hostos. C. 1908
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Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta. Caonabo
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Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta. Urdaneta. Mujer de espalda. date unknown
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Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta. Marina. date unknown.
