CESAR CARRANZA Ecuadorean, born 1943 "Fue le Encuentro de su Tiniebla" (It was the encounter of their darkness) Oil canvas Signed lower left. Verso titled. The artist captures several layers of cultural and symbolic activity by centering a bride and groom. The bride wears a traditional white dress and floral crown while the groom appears in a formal suit. Behind them, there is a white-washed church and participants like the "mirror" dancer—likely a reference to the Danzante de Pujilí. Framed. 36 x 28.5 inches; Frame 39 x 31 inches $500-800
ARTIST PROFILE: Born in Ambato, Ecuador, in 1943, César Carranza is a prominent figure in Ecuadorian neofigurativism, known for weaving together contemporary Latin American identity with ancestral Andean roots. His formal training began at the School of Fine Arts in Quito between 1962 and 1967, followed by advanced studies at the prestigious Academy of San Carlos in Mexico City and further artistic refinement in Italy. Carranza's work is celebrated for its "Andean poetic evocation," often featuring slightly parodic or erotic motifs drawn from the daily lives of people in the highlands. His style is characterized by a vibrant use of color and a profound focus on the human form, which fellow artist Eduardo Kingman described as a harmonious blend of humanity, nature, and the universe. Over a career spanning several decades, he has exhibited his work internationally in cities such as Lima, Havana, Moscow, and Milan, and his paintings, such as Toros de Pueblo and Entre las Colinas, are held in significant collections including the Casa de las Américas in Cuba.
