José Francisco Xavier de Salazar y Mendoza

José Francisco Xavier de Salazar y Mendoza (1750-1802) was a Mexican portrait painter known for being the first painter of significance to work in Spanish colonial New Orleans, Louisiana (New Spain).^[1]^[2]

Biography[]

Salazar was born to Salvador de Salazar and Feliciana Ojeda y Bazquez in Mérida, on the Yucatán peninsula, Mexico.^[3] Salazar attended the Academy in Mexico City. In 1782 he moved to New Orleans with his wife, Maria Antonia Magaña (d. 1793) and their two children, a son, José and daughter, Francisca de Salazar y Magaña, both of whom became artists. Shortly after moving they had another son, José Casiano. In 1788 their home was destroyed in a fire, and the family moved into a church building. In 1791, the family was living on St. Philip Street, near the St. Louis Cathedral, where their youngest son, Ramon Rafael de la Crus, was born.^[1] Salazar died on August 15, 1802.^[4]

Work[]

Salazar is considered the foremost painter in Spanish Colonial Louisiana.^[4] Salazar painted the portraits of many prominent citizens of colonial Louisiana, including members of the church, government and the military. Some of his well-known sitters include Don Carlos Trudeau Laveau, Joseph Montegut, Ignacio Balderas, Don Almonaster y Rojas, and Bishop Luis Ignatius Cardenas y Peñalver, among others. He painted in the late Baroque style that was favored in Spanish colonies^[1] as well as the influence of Mexican provincial styles.^[4] The art historian Judith Bonner believes that Salazar's daughter Francisca worked with him due to certain drawing and painting inconsistencies found in his work.^[4] His use of transparent glazes and dark backgrounds has been compared to Goya.^[4]

Collections[]

Salazar's work is held in many museums. It is included in the Louisiana State Museum collection,^[1] the Newcomb Art Museum collection,^[5] Worcester Art Museum,^[6] Historical Society of Pennsylvania,^[7] among institutions.