El pueblo en lucha

Ramón Oviedo

This mural (2013) shows a bound, faceless figure hurling itself toward the dark mouths of cannons, while ghostly soldiers and crowds emerge in the background. The scene recalls the Dominican struggle against dictatorship and foreign intervention in the 20th c. By fusing a single straining body with collective, blurred forms, Oviedo concentrates individual sacrifice into a broader history of resistance.

Mochica Warrior Sacrifices

The Mochica culture (1–800 AD) depicted sacrificial rituals for defeated warriors. Some sacrifices occurred on islands, with warriors transported by rafts, while others took place in the mountains, where the vanquished were cast from heights. These practices reflect the Mochica’s complex belief systems and their emphasis on ritualistic offerings, highlighting their intricate relationship with both the environment and spiritual world.

Boy with Thorn Bronze Sculpture

This bronze sculpture, ’Boy with Thorn’ or ’Spinario’ (1st c. BC), shows a nude boy removing a thorn from his foot. It is a Roman copy of a Greek Hellenistic original. The figure may represent a young grape harvester or Ascanius, son of Aeneas. Its Renaissance popularity influenced many artists. Unlike typical marble versions, this bronze is a rare example of ancient craftsmanship.

Portrait of an Indigenous Person

Luis Alberto Acuña

This striking 1934 oil painting reflects the artist’s deep engagement with indigenous identity and pre-Columbian heritage. The stoic, symmetrical face, wrapped in a red hood beneath a wide-brimmed hat, evokes dignity and resilience. Acuña, a key figure in Colombian modernism, often highlighted native ancestry as a counter-narrative to Eurocentric ideals.

Statue of Cupid and Psyche

This sculpture (4th c.) from the Domus di Amore e Psiche depicts the tender embrace of Cupid and Psyche, symbolizing eternal love and the soul’s union with desire. Positioned within a marble-clad chamber, the piece crowned the luxurious decor, blending intimacy, myth, and refined domestic aesthetics.