Edward Weston's Jean Charlot

Heading: (Weston, Edward)

Author: Charlot, Jean

Title: Seated Nude Woman, Mexico - gifted to Edward Weston

Place Published:

Publisher:

Date Published: 1924

Description:
Ink on paper. 34.5x22.9 cm (13½x9").

Signed by Jean Charlot at lower right and dated '24. Jean Charlot (1898-1979) was one of the leading muralists of the 20th century, as well as an accomplished printmaker, illustrator, and author. After moving from Paris to Mexico in 1921, he worked closely with Mexican muralists Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros and played a key role in developing and drawing worldwide attention to the Mexican muralism movement. In 1923 Charlot met Edward Weston in Mexico where the latter had set up his studio with Tina Modotti. The friendship would endure over the years and cross the border to California with photographic portraits of Charlot and his wife Zohmah taken by Weston and drawn portraits of Weston by Charlot. The sketch was gifted to Donald Ross by the Weston family and was passed down to Ross' son Merg Ross, also a photographer in the tradition of f/64.

Charlot's frescoes are especially celebrated, appearing on buildings throughout the United States and Mexico. Charlot’s work explored themes of social justice, labor, and the history of the Americas and continues to be celebrated for its powerful social commentary and technical excellence. After World War II, Charlot would move to Hawaii where he continued to produce exquisite work while teaching at the University of Hawaii.