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Arnaldo Roche-Rabell

Spirit of the Colony (El Espiritu de la Colonia)
Now On View

Maker

Arnaldo Roche-Rabell (American, b. Puerto Rico, 1955 - 2018

Title

Spirit of the Colony (El Espiritu de la Colonia)

Year

1993

Medium

  • Oil on canvas

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

  • Oil on canvas

Materials

oil paint

Supports

  • canvas

Dimensions

195.6 x 195.9 cm (77 x 77 1/8 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Nancy Sayles Day Collection of Modern Latin American Art

Object Number

1994.026

Type

  • Paintings

Exhibition History

Art and Design from 1900 to Now
Jun 04, 2022 – Dec 01, 2030

Label copy

Interpretation 


This painting depicts a dark-skinned man whose eyes are distinctly rendered in blue and yellow on the left and red and orange on the right. The flock of birds obscuring his face symbolizes the spirit of the colony referenced in the title, or the communities in Puerto Rico, the artist’s native land. The birds also represent the artist’s Afro-Caribbean ancestors, whose identities are often left in the margins. By scraping and layering paint, Roche-Rabell reveals the depths of color that are characteristic of his practice. These textures express pride in his heritage and embody revelations of belonging and homecoming.

–Gabrielle Walker, Nancy Elizabeth Prophet Curatorial Assistant

Acquisition details


This is one of 269 works—including the Wifredo Lam painting at the far left—that the RISD Museum has acquired since 1966 as part of its Nancy Sayles Day Collection of Modern Latin American Art. Nancy Sayles Day (1905–1964) was a Rhode Island artist and supporter of the arts.

Funds that focus on acquiring works made in a particular region or by artists of a specific cultural identity have become less prevalent in recent years, as artists often move elsewhere and/or resist nationalistic associations.

–Dominic Molon, Richard Brown Baker Curator of Contemporary Art

Raid the Icebox Now with Pablo Helguera
Inventarios / Inventories
Feb 07, 2020 – Aug 21, 2021
Crisis Response
An Exhibition of Art Created in Times of Conflict and Catastrope, from the Assassination of JFK to 9/11
Nov 08, 2002 – Jan 12, 2003
Artistic Expressions of the Human Spirit
Selections from the Nancy Sayles Day Collection of Modern Latin American Art
Nov 21, 1997 – Apr 26, 1998
"De Donde Vengo"
Selections from the Nancy Sayles Day Collection of Modern Latin American Art
Mar 15, 1996 – Apr 28, 1996
  • More Exhibition History +

Image use

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In copyright This object is in copyright

Tombstone

Arnaldo Roche-Rabell (American, b. Puerto Rico, 1955 - 2018
b. in San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Spirit of the Colony (El Espiritu de la Colonia), 1993
Oil on canvas
195.6 x 195.9 cm (77 x 77 1/8 inches)
Nancy Sayles Day Collection of Modern Latin American Art 1994.026

To request new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.

Feedback

We view our online collection as a living documents, and our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you have additional information or have spotted an error, please send feedback to curatorial@risd.edu.

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