The product is a professionally framed matted serigraph print titled "Barco Negrero" by Cuban contemporary artist Manuel Mendive Hoyo. This medium-sized piece was created in Cuba during the 1970s, depicting a slave ship in a contemporary art style. The unframed artwork measures 13 1/2 inches in height and 19 1/2 inches in width, using cardboard and paper materials. This original print is a unique representation of Cuban culture and art, making it a valuable addition to any art collection or display. This item is in excellent condition as displayed in the photo gallery. The creative world of Manuel Mendive is nourished by the legendary rites of the Regla de Ocha or Santería. His imprint is marked by the magic and spirit of his visions of worship and from the transcultural elements of our idiosyncrasy he creates a vast fantastic universe. He synthesizes man in an insertion of poetic allegories where the mythological, in communion with the syncretic, offers a domestic vision of the liturgy through intellectually elaborated codes and categories, in an art where memory and experience are juxtaposed with imagination, which determines the intentionality of each piece. "His eyes, as through the mpaka congo, see in the everyday the raw material of the extraordinary." To express the particular components of this edge of our national culture, he assumes the popular as an essential source along with the preponderance of the black theme. A striking example is Barco slavero, which marks a new dimension in the treatment of historical scenes in its quest to preserve the historical legacy and documents a period characterized by brilliant color through the stippling technique. This deep integration into Afro-Cuban tradition leads him to investigate a series of habits, behaviors, and conducts of this stratum of our society, which, along with others, make up the broad mosaic of the indigenous nature of our heritage. Manuel Mendive Hoyo, born in 1944 in Luyano, Havana, is a prominent Cuban visual artist recognized for his unique ability to intertwine Afro-Cuban traditions with contemporary art. His work, which encompasses painting, sculpture, and performance, has been instrumental in revaluing Yoruba culture in Cuba and has left a significant mark both nationally and internationally. Mendive, winner of the National Prize for Plastic Arts in 2001, is one of Cuba's most important and avant-garde artists. He has transcended borders, establishing himself as a leading figure in international visual art. His work, rich in symbolism, explores themes such as spirituality, identity, and the connection between humankind and nature. Origin and Academic Training From an early age, Mendive was immersed in the practices of Santería, which profoundly influenced his artistic vision. In 1963, he graduated from the San Alejandro Academy of Fine Arts in Havana, specializing in painting and sculpture. He later complemented his training with courses at the Department of Ethnology and Folklore of the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the Faculty of Arts and Letters of the University of Havana. Historical and Cultural Context Mendive's work is situated in a historical context marked by the search for national identity in Cuba. Mendive's work emerged during a period of cultural revitalization in Cuba during the 1960s, marked by a movement to rescue and revalue Afro-Cuban traditions. His work draws on the Yoruba religion and Santería, integrating mythical and ritual elements into his creations, positioning him as one of the leading exponents of contemporary Afro-Cubanism. Through his art, Mendive has reclaimed the African roots of Cuban culture, integrating them into a contemporary visual language. His work connects with artistic movements such as surrealism and abstraction, while maintaining a deep respect for oral traditions, the Yoruba religion, and Afro-Cuban heritage. Artistic Work: Main Paintings or Thematic Series Among his most emblematic works are: ?Slave Ship? (1976), a piece that reflects the history of the slave trade and African cultural resistance in the Caribbean. Another notable series is ?Clear Waters, Turbid Waters,? which explores the duality and spirituality present in nature and religion. ?Orishas and the Universe?: A series depicting the deities of the Yoruba religion in a visual dialogue with the cosmos. ?The Tree of Life?: An allegory about the spiritual connection between humans and nature. ?Ancestral Rituals?: ??Paintings and sculptures that explore the ceremonies of Afro-Cuban Santeria. ?Colors of Nature?: Works that fuse religious symbolism with elements of the Cuban landscape.