Artists from Peru

Peru has a rich cultural history of art, with Peruvian artists showing brilliant talent from the earliest cultures up to the present century.

Before the invasion of Spain and European influence, many cultures came and went in Peru and much of their art work still remains. The individual artists from Peru of past cultures, unfortunately, remain unknown.

Artists from Peru - Pre-Columbian Art

Courtesy of Wikipedia

A detail of the Raimondi Stela. This stela was found out of its original placement at the ceremonial complex, Chavín de Huantar. It was cited by Pablo Picasso as an inspiration for his art.

Peruvian artists and art in Peru today are heavily influenced by the art of their ancestors.

But not only Peruvian artists have seen the value of Peru's art.

Others, such as Pablo Picasso, have borrowed and learned from these past anonymous artists of Peru.

Lets take a look at the art first.

The earliest pre-Columbian art known comes from the north coast of Peru during the time of the Cupisnique Culture and Chavin Culture, about 1000 BCE (Before the Common Era). These Peruvian artists worked with gold, silver, and ceramics.

From BCE 800 to the first century CE (Common Era), the Paracas and other cultures were known for their ceramics with complex designs.

Peruvian Artists

Moche Culture

The Moche culture, around the 3rd century CE, really shone as far as their ceramics went. The many pieces in existence today show, in many cases, realistic human features with a touch of humor. The excellent lifelike representations of different persons as well as animal and plant life would be hard to beat even by today's artists.

The Tiwanaku Culture, centered around Lake Titicaca between 800-1200 CE, was the first known Peruvian civilization to introduce colossal stone sculptures and architecture. The development and use of bronze tools made it possible to do stonework much beyond what was produced using more simple tools.

Back on the coast to the north, the Chimu culture flourished around 1300-1400 CE. This culture excelled in goldsmithing and fine pieces are on display in Peru's museums.

The most recognized Peruvian civilization, the Inca Empire, carried on the massive architectural feats of the Tiwanaku Culture and took this art form to new heights. Although their ceramic, gold, and silver work were well-developed, the limelight has always been on their almost unbelievable archetictural style.

Artists From Peru - Colonial Art

After the invasion and subjugation by Spain, other influences came into play in the Peruvian art scene. Many of the artists of Peru from this early Colonial Period came under the sponsorship of the church and painted and sculpted religious or moral works.

A mixture of European and more indiigenous art influences can be seen in some of the major painters of the 1600s and 1700s. The artists of Peru today continue this tradition.

Artists From Peru in Modern Times.

What distinguishes Peruvian artists today is the mixture of native and other influences, resulting in unique and varied artwork.

The Indigenous Movement is one branch of Peruvian art that reflects this mixture.

Here is a list of Peruvian Artists and the time period in which they worked, courtesy of Wikipedia:

Peruvian Artists

Little Girl with a Chicken
*by Carlos Morales

    * Pablo Amaringo (b. 1938)
    * Mario Urteaga Alvarado (1875-1957)
    * Hugo Orellana Bonilla (1932-2007)
    * Martín Chambi, (1891-1973), photographer
    * Daniel Hernández (1856-1932)
    * Nelson Medina (b. 1978)
    * Carlos Morales (b. 1955)*
    * Carlos Enrique Polanco
    * J. Alberto Tello Montalvo
    * Jorge Vinatea Reinoso (1900-1931)
    * José Sabogal (1888-1956)
    * Josué Sánchez (b. 1945)
    * Basilio Santa Cruz Pumacallao (1635-1710)
    * Fernando de Szyszlo (b. 1925)
    * Antonio Sinchi Roca Inka (17th century)
    * Carlos Runchie Tanaka
    * Carmen Gris Tello Fuentes
    * María Luisa Tello Fuentes
    * Diego Quispe Tito (1611-1681)
    * Juan Antonio Valdivieso Fuentes
    * Boris Vallejo (b. 1941)
    * Alberto Vargas (1896-1982)
    * Marcos Zapata (c. 1710-1773)