Anthropological profile of the work of art. Raúl Domínguez and Fidel Roig Matons

Abstract

Considering the figurative representation of the image as a mental category with its own history, which reflects and allows us to interpret the culture of a society, we will study the work of two artists who have lived with different communities in Argentina to carry out not only a survey of objects, productions, habits, customs, but also an authentic interpretation of culture through the communities’ institutions and their functions, developing a true visual narrative.
We will dwell on some works by Fidel Roig Matons (1887-1977) who has portrayed the inhabitants of the Lagunas and their customs. We will also focus on the work of Raúl Dominguez (1918-1999) who has painted the inhabitants of the Paraná islands. Both artists settled in those communities to transmit their values, customs, and mentalities. In both cases, these societies maintain a close relationship with nature.
We consider that it is an analogous approach to that of anthropologists, which is related to the intangible aspects of a culture revealed by the artist. We wonder what the anthropological profile of the work of art would be.