Original Cuban Art

Original Cuban Art

The Origins of Cuban Art

The first manifestations of the plastic arts in Cuba must be placed in the archaeological sites of the aboriginal villages where clay vessels and petal-shaped axes (finely polished symmetric stones) have been found. These two elements were very characteristic of the most developed aboriginal group on the island. Among the objects related to religious rites the cemies are really abundant, idols or images carved in stone, clay, wood, shell, or coral reef; and the dujos, four-legged wooden chairs whose back ended in a curve with symbolic frames highly estimated by the value, delicacy and meticulosity of the carving.

In the 16th century, the first streets were traced and the first churches were built. A certificate from that time states that in 1584 the painter Juan Camargo was the first artist painting the altarpiece of the Parochial Church. The defense of the island, and especially Havana, against the attacks of pirates and privateers was of paramount importance; that is the reason why military constructions were built in the first place, following the religious constructions and the civil constructions in that order.

The churches made of masonry usually only had one nave, the exterior quite restrained. However, some churches were decorated with towers to one side; and to others lateral naves were added, henceu the reason why today we can see two octagonal small towers that complement harmoniously the two bodies of the facade in some cases. The interiors of the churches were decorated with carved images having colors of certain value and made of precious and fine woods; and with very elaborate candelabra, tabernacles, and missals which were fundamentally donations.

During the 16th century and from that moment on, houses and buildings were constructed under the Moorish influence, with balconies and galleries covered in the top floor with decorated ceilings. In the 17th century the architecture on the island took shape with the so called Cuban baroque. During this period a Cuban bourgeoisie began to rise intervening in the development of the economy. The United States of America became independent from England and became the main consumer of the island.

Already in the 18th century, the construction of the churches had transversed coffered arches within the naves. An example of this is the church of Guanabacoa, attributed to Alejandro Hernández. In the towers of the churches, masonry pyramidal spirals were used (square and polygonal towers) and the decoration used was basically the same, beautiful, elaborate carvings. The Cathedral of Havana is finished in 1748 emerging with its construction the ornamental motif "la Habanera Jamba" and the suppression of pedestals. It is known that in this construction the Spanish Pedro de Medina from Cadiz and the Havanan Fernández Trevejos participated. Its baroque style can be found in the movement of the façade on both sides of the main gates, the use of undulant, crooked lines and the use of crosswise columns and spirals at the cornices. The interior was covered in wood; nonetheless, almost at the end of the 19th century it was covered in plaster resembling gothic vaults and decorative paintings were added.

Fine instances of the Cuban baroque are the House of the Government and the Post Office both located in the Arms Square, the Castle of La Fuerza and El Templete (with exception of La Fuerza, the rest of the buildings date from the 19th century).

About the Author

This brief history of the origins of art in Cuba was written by a Cuba travel expert from Cuba For Less, a specialist in fully customizable Cuba vacation packages.