Vintage Antique Mexican Folk Art Modern Child Portrait Oil Painting LABIOS

  
This is an exceptional and RARE Vintage Antique Mexican Folk Art Modern Child Portrait Oil Painting on canvas, by the esteemed and historically important Mexican folk artist, Agapito Labios 1898 - 1996. This artwork depicts a young Mexican girl and boy, standing in front on a small balcony, with a majestic cityscape and mountain range behind them.

The impressive mountain in the distance is identified by the artist as Iztaccihuatl on the verso of the canvas. The girl is wearing an ornate and lovely lace dress with floral motifs.

She holds a small bird's nest in her right hand, a handful of cherries in her left hand. The little boy wears a smart late 19th century pinstriped suit, and holds an apple in his right hand, and a small red bird is perched on his left hand.

Signed: "Labios" in the lower left corner. Additionally, this artwork bears a number, title, and annotation on the verso: #24 Pareja Frente Al - Iztaccihuatl. This artwork likely dates to the late 1930's - 1940's. I have had several paintings by Agapito Labios in my gallery over the years, and this is one of the best that I have ever had the privilege to own.

Based on the number which is written the top stretcher bar of the verso, this piece was likely exhibited either in Mexico or abroad. Approximately 26 3/8 x 32 inches including frame. Actual artwork is approximately 18 1/4 x 23 5/8 inches. Very good condition for decades of age and storage, with moderate scuffing, speckles of paint loss and edge wear, and minor light age related craquelure to the painted surface. Additionally, there is light scuffing and edge wear to the vintage wooden frame please see photos. Acquired from an old collection in Los Angeles County, California. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks! 1898 - Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. Agapito Labios was born Agapito Engel Cifuentes in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico in September of 1898. He took an active part in the Mexican Revolution and was put in prison. There he started painting the cell wall. The mayor of the town saw his paintings, liked them, and ordered him to paint his two little girls.

Thus his artistic career began. Labios was a self taught artist and made his living doing portraits - painting his children in the primitive Mexican style. He later had a shop called Mercado de Artesanias at La Ciudadela in Mexico City where his work was sought out by collectors worldwide.

He died in 1996, and his son currently owns the shop. Agapito Engel Cifuentes (alias) LABIOS. Was born September 20th, 1898 - fought under Villa during Revolution of Mexico.

Studied painting in Mexico City and decided on his own style. Taught painting to other artists.

His drinking habits did not let him progress. Has shown in several cities in the United States and Europe. Only painter in the country of little girls and boys with Mexican landscape backgrounds, kitchen backgrounds, and flower backgrounds.

Still alive and very active. Echevarria, wife of the President of Mexico. Agapito Labios: From jail cells to Sotheby's and Christie's: Mexican Artist Agapito Labios started his career from a jail cell. We take a look at his story and see how his work went from a jail cell to auctions at Sotheby's and Christie's.

Published 21 June 2017 Labios' active role in the Mexican Revolution landed him in jail. It was here that he started painting on his jail cell wall. His works were spotted by the mayor of Pachuca, who ordered Labios to teach his two daughters, spurring on Labios' career.

Agapito went on to make a living out of his Folk art figure paintings. The artist's work is defined by his highly stylized portraits, often with children as the subjects in formal dress, with typical Mexican backgrounds such as farming fields and or town squares.

This lead to Agapito opening his own shop in Mexico City, which his son took ownership of after Labios' death in 1996.