Amelia Peláez: The Craft of Modernity

Step into the radiant world of Amelia Peláez (1896–1968), one of Cuba’s most celebrated modernist painters. Known for her brightly colored, quasi-abstract compositions filled with decorative objects, stained-glass-like patterns, and ornamental architectural motifs, Peláez transformed the everyday interiors of Havana into dazzling works of art. Her paintings evoke the intimacy of traditional Cuban homes while embracing the bold innovation of modernism.

This richly illustrated book, Amelia Peláez: The Craft of Modernity, accompanies our museum’s acclaimed exhibition that highlighted Peláez’s extraordinary career. Taking a socio-historical approach, the exhibition examined her work in the context of Havana’s shifting material culture and urban landscape during the first half of the 20th century. Visitors were immersed in Peláez’s unique vision—where domestic interiors, colonial ornamentation, and avant-garde experimentation came together in a style that is unmistakably hers.

Peláez was not only a pioneering female artist in a male-dominated art world, but also a vital figure in shaping Cuban modernism. Her use of vibrant colors and bold lines created a dialogue between tradition and innovation, offering an artistic language that still resonates today. Amelia Peláez: The Craft of Modernity is more than a catalog—it’s a tribute to a groundbreaking artist whose work bridges past and present, Havana and the world. A must-have for art lovers, scholars, and anyone inspired by the bold spirit of Latin American modernism.

Discover the brilliance of Amelia Peláez—where tradition blooms into modernity.

Details

• Hardcover
  
• 144 Pages
• Contributors: Rene Morales and Ingrid S. Elliott.
• PAMM Published