Gustavo Camino Brent 2

 

Gustavo Camino Brent 2

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This painter became the pioneer of Peruvian indigenism

From his early years in Lima, Gustavo Camino Brent showed a remarkable talent that he would later express in a unique style within the Peruvian indigenist movement. (Enrique Camino Brent Collection – “Luis Jaime Cisneros” Center of the PUCP)

The world of the arts in Peru It has countless exponents in all branches, all with a talent that has left its mark on their specialty.

 

That is the case of Gustavo Camino Brentwho since childhood excelled in various disciplines, but stood out in painting. So much so that he became the first representative of what was called Peruvian indigenism. And this is his story.

 

The renowned painter made a significant contribution to Peruvian art by authentically depicting Andean cultures and landscapes in his works. (Indio del Collado – Oil on canvas – Enrique Camino Brent, 1939 – BCRP Museum)

Gustavo Enrique Camino Brenthis full name, was an influential Peruvian painter of the indigenist movement and was born in Lima on June 22, 1909. Son of Juan Francisco Camino Anderson and María Águeda Catalina Brent Delgado, he grew up in an environment that valued culture and the arts.

 

From a young age, Gustavo showed remarkable talent. At the age of three, he won a gold medal in a child beauty pageant.

 

She began her education with a private tutor and then attended the Colegio Sagrados Corazones Recoleta, continuing her studies at the Colegio San Agustín and culminating in Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.

 

In 1922, he entered the National School of Fine Arts of Lima at just twelve years old. Despite the opposition of his father, Daniel Hernández, the school director, intervened so that Gustavo could continue his artistic studies.

 

Under the tutelage of Hernandez and Jose SabogalGustavo developed a distinctive style, far removed from the predominant European influences.

 

From his studies at the National School of Fine Arts in Lima to his international travels, discover the story of this influential artist. (Balcón de Herodes – Oil on canvas – Enrique Camino Brent, 1937 – Museo del BCRP)

Gustavo also studied architecture at the Lima School of EngineersIn 1932, he graduated with honors from the Fine Arts program and began teaching at the institution in 1937. His first exhibition in Lima in 1936 was praised, and his work began to gain international recognition.

 

But his search for inspiration led him to travel through the interior of Peru, exploring local landscapes and techniques, such as the ceramics of Santiago de Pupuja. In 1938, he married María Rosa Macedo Cánepa, with whom he had a son, Luis Federico Camino Macedo.

 

In other roles, Gustavo taught ceramics at the Jose Pardo Polytechnic and designed the chapel of the institute, which still preserves its original design. His travels through Puno and Buenos Aires inspired series on Collao and Cusco. In 1940, he returned to Lima and aligned himself with Sabogal, who was dismissed from the direction of the ENBA (National School of Fine Arts) in 1943.

 

During his trips to the United States, Mexico and Quito, Gustavo met Oswaldo Guayasamín and made murals, such as the one at the former Ministry of Public Education.

 

This notable artist not only left his mark on painting, but also on architecture and Fine Arts education in different institutions. (Red Staircase – Oil on canvas – Enrique Camino Brent, 1954 – Pinacoteca Ignacio Merino)

He was director of the Huamanga School of Fine Artswhere he also taught. His work, characterized by portraits and landscapes, combined a strong pictorial resonance with earthy colors.

 

One of his outstanding works is the “Christ of Tayankani” from 1951which reflects his fascination with popular religiosity. Despite his membership in the indigenist group, Gustavo maintained a personal line in his art, depicting the architectural landscape and the image of the Indian with an intense palette.

 

The Peruvian painter combined his training in architecture and his indigenous art to create works that resonated in America and Europe. (Christ of Tayankani – Oil on canvas – Enrique Camino Brent, 1937 – MALI)

In 1957, he took over the management of the School of Fine Arts and Crafts from the University of Ayacucho, where he continued until his death.

 

His vision of the vernacular world was reflected in his works, which captured corners and squares with a melancholic beauty. His works can be found in collections in America and Europe, with “El Recuerdo (La Capa)” from 1930 being particularly noteworthy.

 

In 1960, he returned to Lima due to severe headaches. Specialists determined that this was due to a malignant tumor lodged in your brain.

 

He passed away on July 15, 1960during an operation. His body was laid to rest in his workshop and buried in the San Andrés barracks of the El Ángel Cemetery.

With affection,

Ruben