Gilbert Durán | Frida Margarita

Gilbert Durán | Frida Margarita:

Gilbert Duran (San Antonio, Texas, 1947-2023), “Frida Margarita” original, 1992, oil on canvas

size: 40x 30 in.

Artist’s note: “Frida Kahlo is one of the most controversial artists of her time and her popularity continues to escalate throughout the world. She was one of the wives of Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. While her life was constant turmoil, I chose to paint her in a festive setting depicting San Antonio. To accurately re-create one of Frida’s best self portraits, I added the flavor of Fiesta.”

Provenance: Property from the Southtown San Antonio, Texas studio of noted artist Gilbert Duran

Gilbert Duran (1947-2023) was a celebrated artist first known for his watercolor renditions of South Texas wildlife and Texas ranch scenes, and later for vivid oil paintings of South Texas and Latin themes, most famously depicting Frida Kahlo holding a margarita (‘Frida Margarita’), an image which has been widely copied and displayed throughout Texas and beyond. Duran worked for many years out of his Southtown San Antonio, Texas live / work studio, Duran Arte, producing strikingly original canvases as well as sculpture and commissioned work. Many of Duran’s key works were displayed in prominent San Antonio restaurants including Rosario’s and Soluna, and have been shown at the Smithsonian Museo Alameda, and added to private collections including that of Guadalupe Rivera Marin, daughter of Kahlos husband Diego Rivera. Duran’s impressive legacy as one of San Antonio’s outstanding artists continues to grow as pieces begin to come to market at auction houses and galleries throughout the Southwest.