Jose Maria Velasco

What was Jose Maria Velascos idea of Mexico? By studying the detail in his paintings perhaps I can answer that question. 

First, the beauty of the landscape jumps out. Most Americans that have not been to Mexico think that it  is only a hot desert wasteland. Velasco wants to show the rest of the world this isn't true. A beautiful blue lake gleams off to the left. Mountain ranges can be seen in the distance. There are even some capped in snow. The land, although not a forest, is green, covered in grass and bushes. A vast blue sky shared with fluffy clouds caps off the scenery. Velasco obviously believes that Mexico is beautiful and expresses it through his painting. 

Second, is the idea that Mexico is a distant  mysterious exotic land. You might ask yourself: "how can he possibly think that this painting is exotic?"  Like I mentioned earlier small details elude to Velascos vision of Mexico. In this painting and several others he shows a road nearby stretching off into the distance and disappearing into a far away unseen city. This detail suggests the idea that Mexico is a foreign and undiscovered land to the rest of the world. If the long road to Mexico is only traveled down one will discover the beauty of Mexico City or other parts of the Country. As technology has improved from the 1800's this idea that Velasco painted about so many years ago has been realized by travelers from all around the world, making Mexico one of the most touristic countries in the world.

Third, Velasco was not only proud of modern Mexico and it's technological advances but also of it's heritage. The painting below is very similar to the one above. In the distance tiny puffs of clouds can be seen. These clouds represent a newly built train. Velasco is obviously very proud of these technological advances otherwise he would not have included such a small detail. In the painting above a cactus and eagle can be seen. This is a representation of the Aztec vision and founding of Tenochititlan. Through all of his paintings Velasco shows his pride of his heritage and also his current country with small details that most may not see. 

Jose Maria Velasco was a proud Mexican painter. Proud of his heritage. Proud of his Mexico's progress. Proud of his beautiful country. He expressed and shared what he knew to be true of Mexico with the rest of the world in his beautiful paintings.