Maria Pepa Lamarque. Maria Josefa "Pepa" Lamarque was a Cuban painter and printmaker who played a significant role in the development of modern art in Cuba.
Born in Havana in 1892, Lamarque grew up in a family that encouraged her artistic pursuits. She studied at the San Alejandro Academy of Fine Arts in Havana, where she learned the fundamentals of painting and drawing.
After completing her studies, Lamarque traveled to Europe to further her artistic education, spending several years in Paris and being exposed to the latest trends in modern art, including Cubism and Surrealism. Upon her return to Cuba, Lamarque became an active member of the island's vibrant art scene, participating in numerous exhibitions and co-founding the Grupo de Arte Moderno, a collective of avant-garde artists who sought to promote modern art in Cuba.
Lamarque's work often explored themes of Cuban identity and culture, with a particular interest in Afro-Cuban religious traditions. Her paintings and prints often featured images of Santería deities and other spiritual figures, reflecting the influence of artists such as Carlos Enríquez, Amelia Peláez, and Wifredo Lam.
Like many modern artists of her generation, Lamarque was influenced by the work of Pablo Picasso and Diego Rivera, but it was her collaboration with Leopoldo Romañach that had a profound impact on her artistic vision. Romañach was a prominent painter, mural