The Protagonist of an Endless Story

Angel Rodríguez-Díaz, The Protagonist of an Endless Story, 1993, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible in part by the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool and the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1996.19, © 1993, Angel Rodriguez-Diaz
Angel Rodríguez-Díaz, The Protagonist of an Endless Story, 1993, oil on canvas, 72 x 57 7⁄8 in. (182.9 x 147.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible in part by the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool and the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1996.19, © 1993, Angel Rodriguez-Diaz

Artwork Details

Title
The Protagonist of an Endless Story
Artist
Date
1993
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
72 x 57 7⁄8 in. (182.9 x 147.0 cm.)
Copyright
© 1993, Angel Rodriguez-Diaz
Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible in part by the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool and the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Landscape — plant
  • Occupation — writer — poet
  • Occupation — writer — novelist
  • Portrait female — Cisneros, Sandra — knee length
Object Number
1996.19
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1996.19

Artwork Description

Known for his richly textured and painterly style, Angel Rodríguez-Díaz spent the last several decades painting portraits of important cultural icons of San Antonio and the Southwestern United States. The "protagonist" of this painting is renowned Chicana novelist and poet Sandra Cisneros, best known for her debut novel, The House on Mango Street. Cisneros stands before a fiery sunset, dressed in a traditional Mexican skirt embroidered with sequined imagery that refers to her profession as a writer. Her commanding pose, reminiscent of historic European portraiture, proclaims that she will endure in her native landscape. In the work's title, as well as its composition, the artist asserts that Chicanx culture will not be erased.

Many Wests: Artists Shape an American Idea, 2023

Works by this artist (4 items)

Robert Ebendorf, Off the Street, On the Beach, 1992, mixed media of found objects, mostly plastic, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Kenneth R. Trapp in honor of Robert Ebendorf, 2003.27.1
Off the Street, On the Beach
Artist
Date1992
mixed media of found objects, mostly plastic
Not on view
Robert Ebendorf, Lost Soul, Found Spirit, 1996, found materials and metal, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist in memory of Mr. Ronald H. Pearson, 1996.61
Lost Soul, Found Spirit
Artist
Date1996
found materials and metal
Not on view
Robert Ebendorf, Hair Ornament, 1960, silver and plique-à-jour enamel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist in honor of Brittany Ebendorf, 1998.117
Hair Ornament
Artist
Date1960
silver and plique-à-jour enamel
Not on view
Robert Ebendorf, Necklace, 1972, sterling silver, 14k gold, ivory, bone, copper, amber, and ebony, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 1984.53
Necklace
Artist
Date1972
sterling silver, 14k gold, ivory, bone, copper, amber, and ebony
Not on view