Leonel Gongora (Colombian, 1932-1999). "Gran Pareja" mixed media, 1969. Signed and dated "Gongora 69" in red by the artist at the lower left. A sensual depiction of two figures - a nude female sitting on the lap of a bearded male donning a beret and an artist's cape - perhaps intended to represent Gongora himself, as a photo in the accompanying catalogue depicts him with this likeness. Created in the late sixties when Minimalism reigned supreme, Gongora's compositions stood apart for their figural, sometimes erotic approach. Speaking to this penchant, Gongora once stated, "I think a cool, minimalist and intellectual attitude would be an antithesis for me coming from where I come - a world so prolific with real imagery and exuberance - and because of this, I bring a sensual intention to my work." Size of artwork: 15" L x 18.25" W (38.1 cm x 46.4 cm) Size of frame: 22" L x 23.25" W (55.9 cm x 59.1 cm)

Accompanying this piece is a catalogue from the Lerner-Heller Gallery on Madison Avenue in New York City with an essay by Ernest S. Heller (1973) in which Heller states, "Gongora is an artist whose whole espirit is devoted to the joy of love; some of his works are frankly erotic but even those which are not, his simple portraits, his more or less conventional groupings of men and women, express through his artistry the pleasure of sex." There is also a poster for a 1971 Leonel Gongora exhibition at the Lerner-Misrachi Gallery (same location as the Lerner-Heller Gallery) that includes an extensive resume for Gongora listing his exhibitions, honors, and the permanent collections that acquired Gongora's work.

Born in Cartago, Colombia, Leonel Gongora studied at the Escuela de Bellas Artes in Bogota as well as at Washington University with Max Beckman. He lived in Italy in 1959 and Mexico City from 1960 to 1963 where he was a founding member of Nueva Presencia and Salon Independiente. Gongora then moved to New York City followed by Amherst, Massachusetts where he was a professor of painting at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst of thirty years. Gongora's work has been collected by the Museum of Modern Art in New York; the Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico; Smith College Museum of Art in Northampton, Massachusetts; the Houston Art Museum in Houston, Texas; the Museo Nacional in Bogota, Colombia, and the New York Public Library in Manhattan.

Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection

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#167811

Artwork is signed and dated "Gongora 69" in red by the artist at the lower left. It has not been examined outside the frame, but appears to be very good save some waviness and crease marks. On the verso gallery paper are stamps for Gallery Couturier of Stamford, Connecticut. Also included are a catalogue for a 1973 Gongora exhibition at the Lerner-Heller Gallery and a folded poster/mailer for a 1971 Gongora exhibition at the Lerner-Misrachi Gallery (both galleries with the same Madison Avenue, New York City address). Some age wear/scuffs to the frame. Glass is intact. Wired for suspension and ready to display.