We’ve received a request for help with identifying the artist who painted these interesting pictures dating from about 1950. The paintings were bought in Ajijic direct from the artist at that time by the father of Ann Hithersay who lives in the U.K.
UPDATE: We thank distinguished artist Fernando Palomar (see comment) for identifying these paintings as the work of Jesús Reyes Ferreira (1880-1977), commonly known as “Chucho Reyes.”
The pictures are painted on paper. It is not clear what medium was used, but the owner reports that the colors are still bright, particularly the blues and purples. The owner’s family remembers something about the artist having exhibited at the Royal Academy in London around 1950, but the paintings have no titles, labels or additional identification.
So far, we have drawn a blank in trying to identify the artist and his/her signature, but maybe a sharp-eyed viewer will have the answer? [Click on any image to enlarge] If you can help, please e-mail us or use the comments feature at the bottom of individual posts.
Painting #1:
Painting #2:
Painting #3
Signatures from paintings #1 and #2 (click to enlarge):
All images reproduced by kind permission of Ann Hithersay. These images may not be reproduced elsewhere without prior written permission.
Other mysteries relating to Lake Chapala authors and artists:
- Does anyone know the whereabouts of this Sylvia Fein painting?
- George Ballou and a lost 500-page book about the artist-tourist colony at Lake Chapala
Sombrero Books welcomes comments, corrections or additional material related to any of the writers and artists featured in our series of mini-bios. Please email us or use the comments feature at the bottom of individual posts.
Tony Burton’s books include “Lake Chapala: A Postcard History” (2022), “Foreign Footprints in Ajijic” (2022), “If Walls Could Talk: Chapala’s historic buildings and their former occupants” (2020), (available in translation as “Si Las Paredes Hablaran”), “Mexican Kaleidoscope” (2016), and “Lake Chapala Through the Ages” (2008).
Is this a Joke? Those paintings are unmistakebly by Chucho Reyes, the very famous Chucho Reyes, or, if not, they are copies or imitations of his work.
Dear Fernando, Sincere thanks for taking the time to comment and to identify the artist as Chucho Reyes. Un abrazo, Tony.