The Art of Manuel Mendive

Manuel Mendive is a Cuban painter, born in Havana in 1944. Immersed in Afro-Cuban traditions and the Yoruba religion (Santeria) since his youth, this deeply rooted cultural milieu shaped his artistic journey. His formal artistic education at the San Alejandro Academy of Fine Arts in Havana – the oldest art school in the country, founded in 1818 – was followed by studies in the Department of Ethnology and Folklore at the Academy of Sciences of Cuba and in Art History at the Faculty of Arts and Letters at the University of Havana, as mentioned in the Art Mendive Project.

Mendive’s art is a mix of African, Spanish, and Indigenous influences, making him one of the most important contemporary Cuban artists. His rich cultural background is conveyed in his work, bringing a contemporary insight into the history of slavery and African mythologies as they transformed the Caribbean Islands.

about the auction:

Waddington’s is pleased to offer two works by Manuel Mendive in our inaugural Latin American Art auction, held online from September 23 – 28, 2023.

This auction revolves around two important Canadian private collections featuring important painters from Cuba, Mexico and Colombia. Notable names include René Portocarrero, Tomás Sánchez, Carlos Rojas, Ruben Berlan, José María Mijares, and Mariano Rodriguez, all of whom represent the vanguard of this thriving artistic movement.