Paisaje de Patzcuaro

As a young architect in Mexico, Juan O'Gorman followed the lead of José Villagrán García in applying the principles of functionalism to buildings in revolutionary Mexico. He also helped organize the School of Construction where architecture was taught from the practical rather than aesthetic viewpoint. O'Gorman was active during the 1930's and early 1940's as a mural painter as well as an architect, but his small easel paintings are relatively rare. Paisaje de Patzcuaro therefore, is a wonderfully rare piece of this period.

O'Gorman was a skilled draftsman and his works fully illustrate his talent. The high attention to detail and the fine quality of the line is a constant in his compositions. Likewise, the use of perspective and the way he renders some of the images clearly demonstrate his training as an architect.