Artists Bio
Severo Zavaleta
(1932- )
Severo Zavaleta was born in Bolivia in 1932. His education included extensive studies at the Andres University in La Paz, Peru . Upon graduation, he apprenticed and continued his studies with several revered South American Masters; Rimsa, Solon Romero of Brazil, Jamie Carro, and Augusta Iriate.
Zavaleta is known for his use of color. It’s Zavaleta’s bold use of Barque tone on tone colors and unique textured brush strokes that are his trademark in the South American Impressionist Movement.
Zavaleta is best known for his painting of people, most especially his portrayal of indigenous people. It was his innate ability to capture human emotion that came to the attention of the South American’s elite aristocracy.
Zavaleta has earned an impeccable reputation as a South American portrait artist. Several of Zavaleta’s commissioned portraits of South America’s dignitaries are on permanent exhibition at the University of Rio de Janeiro.
Traveling throughout America, Zavaleta became fascinated with the Native American culture. He was most impressed with different dress and custom of each tribe. It was his intention to paint each subject as true his or her own custom as possible. Such attention to detail has earned Zavaleta an
impeccable reputation as Native American costume historian.