José Francisco Xavier de Salazar y Mendoza facts for kids

José Francisco Xavier de Salazar y Mendoza (born 1750, died 1802) was an important painter from Mexico. He is known for being the first major artist to work in Spanish New Orleans, which was then part of Spanish Louisiana. He painted many portraits of people living there.

About José Salazar

José Salazar was born in Mérida, Mexico, on the Yucatán peninsula. His parents were Salvador de Salazar and Feliciana Ojeda y Bazquez. He went to art school at the Academy of San Carlos in Mexico City.

In 1782, José Salazar moved to New Orleans. He moved with his wife, Maria Antonia Magaña, and their two children, José and Francisca. Both of their children later became artists too. After they moved, they had another son named José Casiano.

In 1788, the family's home was destroyed in a big fire. They had to move into a church building for a while. By 1791, they were living on St. Philip Street, close to St. Louis Cathedral. Their youngest son, Ramon Rafael de la Crus, was born there. José Salazar passed away on August 15, 1802.

What He Painted

José Salazar is thought to be the most important painter in Spanish Colonial Louisiana. He created portraits of many important people in the area. These included leaders from the church, government, and military.

Some of the well-known people he painted were Don Carlos Trudeau Laveau, Joseph Montegut, and Bishop Luis Ignatius Cardenas y Peñalver. His paintings show a style called late Baroque. This style was popular in Spanish colonies. His art also shows influences from Mexican painting styles.

An art expert named Judith Bonner thinks that Salazar's daughter, Francisca, might have worked with him. This is because some of his paintings have small differences in drawing and painting style. People have also compared his use of thin, see-through paints and dark backgrounds to the famous Spanish painter Goya.

Where to See His Art

José Salazar's artwork is kept in many museums. You can find his paintings in the Louisiana State Museum collection. They are also at the Newcomb Art Museum and the Worcester Art Museum. Other places, like the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, also have his work.

Gallery

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  Portrait of Marianne Celeste Dragon or Dracos, c. 1795

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  Portrait of Lieutenant Michel Dragon, father of Marianne Celeste Dragon, c. 1810

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  Portrait of Captain Anthony Knapp, c. 1801

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  Portrait of Matías Francisco Alpuente y Ruiz, c. 1785–1795

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  Portrait of a mother-and-child, c. 1785–1795

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  Portrait of Charles Trudeau Laveau, c. 1800

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  Portrait of Sebastián Calvo de la Puerta y O'Farrill, c. 1800

See also

In Spanish: José Francisco Xavier de Salazar y Mendoza para niños