The two paintings I chose to compare are, Untitled (Futuristic City) by Alexander Moldonado and Saint Anthony of Padua by Eighteenth Century Novice. Both are oil paintings, except for the fact that ECN's was done on pine. He/She was a Santero. A santero is a skilled laymen who learned to make religious images under the tutelage of Spanish or Mexican priests. They traveled from village to village earning money or receiving goods by selling or trading their artwork. Occasionally priests and friars would create the artwork needed to furnish a local chapel or mission church.
Although few santeros are known by name, several are recognized by style. Saint Anthony of Padua and other works have been attributed to a particular artist identified as the Eighteenth-Century Novice, who worked during the "great santero period" from 1750 to 1850. The irony is that the creation of this painting is one of planning and simplicity while the outcome is rich and full. However, Maldonado's painting is complex in it's process yet seems ultra-simple when viewed.
Maldonado approached painting intuitively, his imagery resulting more from discovery by doing than from preplanning. He usually began with sketches of existing buildings. Through layers of oil paint these sketches evolved into fantasies about the technology of the future. Maldonado sometimes painted the frames of his paintings (both front and back) with colorful, highly visible brushstrokes as you can see clearly on this painting (Arte Latino, 2000).
Eventually he began to paint both sides of the canvas as well. Maldonado often used formal symmetry, boldly outlined shapes, bright colors, and captions to help clarify the narrative themes of his paintings.
He is an inventive artist who expressed his vision of a utopian future, addressed contemporary urban themes -- pollution, prejudice, mass transportation -- by depicting problem-free worlds. In this 'untitled', Maldonado prese
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