Close Window

Antonio Breton

Novica regrets to inform that Antonio Breton passed away on November 15, 2003. His legacy lives on through his art, and his spirit of laughter and friendship will be greatly missed.

The following is a note from Novica Peru:

"Antonio had a great sense of humor, he was so friendly - a wise and wonderful person. When we first interviewed him he instantly made us laugh with his stories. He was the artist who could most easily summon a smile, mainly because it came straight from the heart. He was 100% genuine. His wife has asked that his works continue to be displayed on Novica. This is very important to his family, serving as a way for the art, soul and happiness of Antonio to live on."

Antonio Breton Gonzales was born in Villa Clara, Cuba in 1931. He studied at the National School of Fine Arts in San Alejandro, Havana as well as at the Artist Guild in Miami, where he was later a professor of art. His works have been part of collective and individual exhibitions in Cuba, the United States, Italy, Martinique, South Korea, Switzerland, and now his current country of residence, Peru. A highly respected artist, Breton has won various awards in the United States and Cuba.

Infused with the magical realism of his native land, the paintings of Breton go beyond the picturesque, becoming a visual history where the characters symbolize deities, and thus profound concepts living within human beings. Nature, too, plays an essential role, such as the figure of the Ciguaraya plant of Cuba, which lives in eternal symbiosis with humankind.

The artistic universe of Breton is inhabited by various gods, each in its own context. Yemenja is the creator of life, who hails from the water's depths. Chango is the god of fire, whose vitality is part of the palm tree, the sacred tree of Cuba. Obatala is the mother earth while Ochun is the goddess of beauty and Osain is the god of the forest. The gods are generous, and in retribution for the miracles they provide the people present them offerings during their ceremonies, reflecting deep religious roots hailing from Africa.

The cultural essence of the people inspired Breton to create his art, as each work intends to convey human transcendence, specifically that of the Latin American person.