Inventing Indigenism: Francisco Laso's Image of Modern Peru

The 2023 ALAA Book Award, Association for Latin American Art/Arvey Foundation, was given to Inventing Indigenism by Natalia Majluf for her fascinating account of the modern reinvention of the image of the Indian in nineteenth-century literature and visual culture. Through the work of Peruvian painter Francisco Laso, Majluf explores the rise of the image of the Indian in literature and visual culture, tracing a decisive break in a long history of representations of indigenous peoples that began with the Spanish conquest.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2021
Publisher: University of Texas Press

A captivating exploration of the modern reimagining of the Indian image in nineteenth-century literature and visual culture is presented through the remarkable work of Peruvian painter Francisco Laso. Renowned as one of the finest painters of the nineteenth century,Laso embarked on a mission to visually represent modern Peru. His solemn and contemplative paintings of indigenous subjects formed an integral part of a broader initiative driven by writers and intellectuals who actively shaped a nascent nation in the aftermath of Spain's independence. In this groundbreaking book,Natalia Majluf delves into the emergence of the Indian image in literature and visual culture, offering an innovative account of modern indigenism and the first comprehensive monograph on the artist. Through a comprehensive analysis of Laso's works, drawn from a diverse range of sources, Majluf traces a significant rupture in the long history of representations of indigenous peoples that began with the Spanish conquest. She establishes a profound connection between this transformative shift and the modern concept of culture, which redefined both the artistic realm and the notion of indigeneity. As an abstraction generated through indigenist discourse, an icon of authenticity, and a deeply racialized cultural construct, the Indian would emerge as a pivotal symbol of modern Andean nationalisms.

Inventing Indigenism elevates the remarkable work and profound influence of Francisco Laso to the forefront, providing a comprehensive perspective on the dynamics of art and visual culture in nineteenth-century Latin America. This captivating exploration delves into the complexities of cultural representation, challenging prevailing narratives and shedding light on the intricate interplay between artistic expression, societal change, and the construction of identities. Through the lens of Laso's artistic journey, readers are invited to contemplate the enduring power of images and the profound impact they have on shaping our understanding of history, culture, and the human experience.

Dimension: 254 x 178 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781477324080