Wifredo Lam
Wifredo Lam
Cuba
b.1902 - d.1982
Turnover
2024
USD$ 4.400.000
Record Sale
USD$ 8.200.000
Afro-CubanModernism

About the artist

Wifredo Lam (1902–1982) was a Cuban painter of Chinese, African, and Spanish descent, renowned for his synthesis of modernist aesthetics with Afro-Cuban spiritual and cultural themes. Born in Sagua La Grande, Cuba, Lam's multicultural heritage and exposure to Santería rituals profoundly influenced his artistic vision. After studying in Madrid and engaging with avant-garde circles in Paris—where he formed connections with artists like Pablo Picasso and André Breton—Lam developed a distinctive style that blended elements of Cubism and Surrealism with motifs from Afro-Caribbean culture. His seminal work, The Jungle (1943), exemplifies this fusion, depicting hybrid figures amidst dense vegetation, reflecting both the complexities of identity and critiques of colonialism. Throughout his career, Lam's art challenged Western perceptions, positioning him as a pivotal figure in 20th-century art who bridged diverse cultural narratives.

2020 / Record Sale

Wifredo LAM (1902-1982)
Omi obini (1943)

Lot # 1008
Painting
Oil/canvas
182.9 x 124.5 cm
Hammer price: $ 8,200,000
Price including buyer's premium: $ 9,603,800
Estimate: $ 8,000,000 - $ 12,000,000
Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale
29 jun 2020
Online only
Sotheby's
United States

Other works

Artwork not found

Related Artists

Leonora CARRINGTON
Leonora Carrington
ABOUT THE WORK
ABOUT YOU
ABOUT THE WORK
ABOUT YOU

Iluminate Your Art Journey

Market reports for visionary collectors and insiders.