Armando Reverón

Andrew Edlin Gallery is delighted to present Armando Reverón: Prisoner of the Air, the first solo exhibition of Armando Reverón (1889-1954) in the United States since his retrospective at The Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA) in 2007. This exhibition features 19 paintings and drawings from 1920 to 1954, showcasing Reverón’s masterful exploration of light, medium, and the austere beauty of his monochromatic landscapes.

Reverón’s early works, such as La Cueva (The Cave, 1920), reflect an atmospheric, almost mystical quality, influenced by French Post-Impressionist and Nabis artists like Édouard Vuillard and Pierre Bonnard. As Mateus Nunes, PhD notes, “Reverón strikes at the heart of the conditions of modern art” by redefining visual representation. Over time, this influence transformed under the tropical light of Venezuela, leading to the ethereal, monochromatic white landscapes for which he is best known.

In 1921, amidst the political turmoil of Caracas, Reverón sought refuge in the coastal village of Macuto with his lifelong partner, Juanita Ríos. There, in their self-built hut, El Castillete, Reverón embraced the austerity of materials, crafting striking white paintings that captured the dazzling Caribbean light. This period marked a profound shift in his work, where the absence of color became a medium in itself, allowing light and shadow to dance across the raw canvas. Reverón’s cyclical approach culminated in the 1940s with a return to landscapes, exemplified by Litoral Guaireño (La Guaira’s Coastline, 1943), where shadow and light interplay with heightened sensitivity.

The exhibition Armando Reverón: Prisoner of the Air has been made possible through the generosity of private individuals and collections. While some of the works are on loan, others are available for sale. Andrew Edlin extends his heartfelt thanks to all the lenders for their invaluable support in bringing this exhibition to fruition.