Virgin, San Felipe, Oaxaca

1933

Photographs of Mexico: Virgin, San Felipe, Oaxaca, 1933. Paul Strand (American, 1890–1976). Photogravure; image: 26.3 x 20.3 cm (10 3/8 x 8 in.); paper: 40.3 x 31.4 cm (15 7/8 x 12 3/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Hermon A. Kelley Art Library Fund 1995.200.3 © Aperture Foundation, Inc., Paul Strand Archive Strand stayed in Mexico for two years, creating a documentary film about the economic struggles of a fishing village and around 175 negatives. Among his favorite subjects were the country’s historic churches and religious art, such as this statue of the Virgin Mary. It was one of 20 images he selected for a portfolio of photogravures issued in 1940. Paul Strand was invited to Mexico in 1932 to document the country’s attempts at modernization and the creation of a more equal social structure.