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Marta Traba
Marta Traba, 1981.jpg
Born (1930-01-25)25 January 1930
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Died 27 November 1983(1983-11-27) (aged 53)
Mejorada del Campo, Madrid, Spain
Occupation Art critic, writer
Language Spanish
Nationality Argentinian and Colombian
Alma mater University of Buenos Aires
University of Paris
Period 1954–1983
Subject Latin American art, Modern art
Notable works El museo vacío, Arte de América Latina 1900–1980, Las ceremonias del verano
Spouse Alberto Zalamea
Ángel Rama

Marta Traba Taín was an important art critic and writer. She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on January 25, 1930. She passed away in Madrid, Spain, on November 27, 1983. Marta Traba is famous for her big impact on Latin American art and books.

Marta Traba's Early Life and Education

Marta Traba's parents were immigrants from Catalonia, a region in Spain. Their names were Francisco Traba and Marta Taín. Marta studied Letters at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina.

After finishing her studies, she worked for an arts magazine. It was called Ver y Estimar, which means 'Look and Consider'. She worked under a well-known art critic named Jorge Romero Brest.

Studying Art in Paris

From 1948 to 1950, Marta lived in Paris, France. There, she took classes on art history. She studied at famous places like La Sorbonne and the School of the Louvre.

In Paris, she met Alberto Zalamea, a journalist from Colombia. He became her first husband. They had two sons together, Gustavo and Fernando.

Life in Colombia and Art Contributions

In 1954, Marta and Alberto moved to Bogotá, Colombia. Before that, they had spent some time in Italy and Argentina. In Bogotá, Marta started teaching art history at different universities.

She also appeared on television shows about art. She wrote art reviews for popular magazines like El Tiempo and Semana. Marta became very well-known in Colombia. She was seen as a top expert in modern art.

Founding the Museum of Modern Art

In the early 1960s, Marta Traba helped create a new museum. It was the Museum of Modern Art of Bogotá. She also became its director. Later, this museum moved to the campus of the National University of Colombia.

Challenges and Moving On

In 1967, the government took control of the National University of Colombia campus. Marta Traba spoke out against these actions. Because of her public criticism, the government tried to make her leave the country.

However, this order was later changed. Marta could stay if she left all her official jobs and stopped talking about politics. In 1969, Marta decided to leave Colombia.

She then lived in different cities with her second husband, Ángel Rama. He was a literary critic from Uruguay. They lived in Montevideo, Caracas, and San Juan de Puerto Rico. Marta often taught at universities there. She also kept writing her art reviews, which were often very strong and thought-provoking.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1979, Marta Traba and Ángel Rama moved to the Washington, D.C., area in the United States. Ángel Rama was a professor at the University of Maryland. Marta continued to give lectures at different universities.

She also worked on a catalog and a book. These were based on the art collection at the Art Museum of the Americas. This museum is part of the Organization of American States.

Moving to Paris and Tragic End

In 1982, the U.S. government did not allow Marta and Ángel to live there permanently. So, they moved to Paris.

On November 27, 1983, Marta Traba and Ángel Rama were traveling to Colombia. Their plane, Avianca Flight 011, crashed near Madrid-Barajas airport in Spain. They were among the people who died in this tragic accident. Also on the plane were Mexican writer Jorge Ibargüengoitia and Peruvian writer Manuel Scorza.

Marta Traba left behind a great legacy. She helped many people understand and appreciate Latin American art.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Marta Traba para niños

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