Wifredo Lam’s Rare Portrait Arrives in New York

A Rare Wifredo Lam Painting Debuts in Hispanic Society Museum

A historic acquisition has been made by the Hispanic Society Museum and Library: Wifredo Lam’s “Portrait of a Boy” (1927), marking the first inclusion of a Cuban artist’s work in their prestigious collection. This early painting by Lam emerged from a private collection in Cuenca, Spain, and adds a vital piece to the understanding of his artistic development.

The museum’s Director and CEO, Guillaume Kientz, emphasizes the significance of this piece, noting its divergence from the style for which Lam is most renowned—his fusion of Surrealism with Afro-Cuban culture. Instead, “Portrait of a Boy” offers insight into Lam’s formative years during his stay in Cuenca, where he was deeply influenced by both classical and emerging avant-garde art forms. Despite the financial hardships following the loss of his scholarship in 1925, Lam’s time in Spain was instrumental in shaping his distinct visual language.

Kientz underscores the painting’s utility in enhancing the museum’s Caribbean art collection and bridging their holdings across different eras. The acquisition not only broadens the museum’s narrative, but also offers younger visitors a connection through its portrayal of youth, alongside other child portraits in the collection.

On display now, “Portrait of a Boy” invites reflection on the early career of a master whose journey through identity and innovation continues to captivate.