Lot 220

Lída Penková (1947) CHINELOS OF TEPOZITLAN

Lída Penková was born in the former Czechoslovakia and lived there until she was twenty, when she emigrated. She began painting as a self-taught artist at the age of fifty-two after moving to the United States. After years of research and therapeutic work, the artist felt a need to express herself creatively, to tell a cultural story, and to create a magical space. Her inspiration came primarily from traveling, her life with her artist husband, and the years she spent in Mexico. This country, rich in symbols, with its festivals, folk celebrations, religious ceremonies, and pre-Hispanic customs, became the foundation of her artistic imagination and aesthetic. In her paintings, primarily of Mexico, myths intertwine with stories told by neighbors, as remembered by their ancestors.

Note of the author: The Chinelos are traditional masked dancers who are central figures in the culture and carnival of the Mexican state of Morelos. Their tradition dates back to the 19th century as a form of satirical protest, mocking the Spanish colonizers and the European elite. Local indigenous and mestizo residents donned masks and costumes to imitate and mock the Europeans’ style of dress and behavior. Their dance is called the “chinela jump” (“El Brinco”). The dancers walk in a procession, rhythmically stomping and hopping to the beat of the music, creating an atmosphere of both joy and defiance. Their richly decorated costumes include a wide hat adorned with beads and feathers and a long tunic embellished with velvet and tassels. Today, the Chinelos are considered an important representation of folk culture, a symbol of the identity of the state of Morelos, and part of Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. (In the painting, the Chinelos are represented by two men in the center of the composition.)