Vintage 1974 Guillermo Silva Santamaría Signed Color Etching – "Una Niña Admirable"

Item Overview • Artist: Guillermo Silva Santamaría (Colombian, 1921–2007) – Signed and dated "'74" lower right • Title: Una Niña Admirable (An Admirable Girl) • Year: 1974 • Medium: Multi-color Intaglio Etching / Engraving on paper • Edition/Marking: Inscribed with name on the lower left margin • Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Housed and protected under glass in a light wood frame. Frame has some very tiny dings here and there, but nothing that distracts from the appearance. About the Artwork & Scene Una Niña Admirable is a beautiful example of Santamaría’s mastery of magical realism. The artwork depicts a whimsical, dreamlike scene filled with eccentric, wide-eyed characters navigating a surreal fantasy land. Set against a delicate, storybook backdrop of soft emerald greens and muted yellows, the composition feels like a peek into a parallel universe. Intricate dollhouse-like structures, a floating figure drifting under a giant leaf balloon, and a festive pagoda-roofed carriage create a playful, theatrical world that masterfully balances a sense of childhood innocence with a touch of satirical humor. • The Style: True to his masterful use of intaglio printmaking, the scene relies on fine cross-hatching to build depth. It is enhanced by soft watercolor washes of emerald greens, muted yellows, and earthy browns, resulting in a dreamlike, satirical, yet innocent environment. About the Artist Guillermo Silva Santamaría was a renowned 20th-century Colombian modernist and surrealist painter, sculptor, and master printmaker. Born in Bogotá, he studied across Europe and Latin America, eventually teaching advanced intaglio and engraving techniques in Mexico City. Santamaría’s highly collectible prints are famous for their humor, complex linework, and surrealist social commentaries populated by stylized figures, medieval knights, and fantastic contraptions. His works have been exhibited across four continents and are held in the permanent collections of major global institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Library of Congress. Specifications & Dimensions • Frame Material: Light natural wood tone. 16x12.25” • Glazing: Glass protected • Signatures: Hand-signed, titled, and dated by the artist in pencil across the bottom margin. An exceptional addition for any collector of mid-century Latin American modernism, surrealism, or fine art printmaking.