WASHINGTON, DC.-The Smithsonian’s International Gallery hosts the exhibition “Retratos: 2,000 Years of Latin American Portraits,” a groundbreaking exhibition exploring Latin American art and history through portraits. “Retratos” comprises approximately 115 paintings and sculptures culled from the holdings of leading museums across Latin America, Europe and the United States, as well as from private collections. The traveling exhibition is the centerpiece of a major international project which includes extensive education materials, innovative outreach programs, a Web site, a catalog and committees of Latino leadership working to support the project and a team of scholarly advisors.

“Retratos” is organized by the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; the San Antonio Museum of Art; and El Museo del Barrio in New York City. This project, and all related national and local programs and publications, are made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund. The exhibition features works by artists ranging from ancient Mayans to contemporary Latin American and Latino individuals garnering international recognition today. It is divided into five chronological sections: Pre-Columbian, Viceregal, Independence, Modern and Contemporary.

“Retratos” will be on view through Jan. 8, 2006 at the Smithsonian’s International Gallery, located in the S. Dillon Ripley Center at 1100 Jefferson Dr. S.W. The Exhibition: “Retratos: 2,000 Years of Latin American Portraits” Most of the works featured in “Retratos” have never before been shown in the United States. Among the artists represented in the exhibition are Antonio Berni (Argentinean), Fernando Botero (Colombian), José Campeche (Puerto Rican), José Gil de Castro (Peruvian), Oswaldo Guayasamín (Ecuadorian), Frida Kahlo (Mexican), Anita Malfatti (Brazilian), Armando Reverón (Venezuelan), Diego Rivera (Mexican), David Alfaro Siqueiros (Mexican) and Rufino Tamayo (Mexican).

“Retratos: 2,000 Years of Latin American Portraits” presents works representing more than 15 countries in Latin America and includes loans from private collections and institutions around the world, such as Mexico’s National Museum of Art; Chile’s National Museum of History; Peru’s National Museum of Anthropology and History; the Museum of Art of Ponce, Puerto Rico; and Madrid’s Museum of America. The exhibition offers visitors an unprecedented opportunity to explore the vibrant tradition of portraiture in Latin America through the faces of indigenous leaders; Spanish viceroys; bold revolutionaries; ordinary women, children and men; cloistered nuns; scholars; and world-renowned Latin American artists. The exhibition also offers insight into how portraiture was used over 2,000 years in Latin America to build support for individuals in power, commemorate the accomplishments of leaders, preserve the memory of the deceased and undermine symbols of the status quo.

The team of scholars developing the exhibition worked closely with leading museums around the world and high-level diplomats to secure loans for “Retratos.” Cultural attachés in the United States, embassy representatives and the cultural leadership within Latin American governments collaborated to encourage museums to lend major paintings and other important works.

“Retratos: 2,000 Years of Latin American Portraits” was developed by a curatorial team led by Dr. Marion Oettinger Jr., director and curator of Latin American art, San Antonio Museum of Art, and scholar in anthropology; Ms. Fatima Bercht, chief curator, El Museo del Barrio, and art historian with expertise in modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art; Dr. Carolyn Kinder Carr, deputy director and chief curator at the National Portrait Gallery and American art scholar with a specialty in portraiture; and Dr. Miguel Bretos, senior scholar at the National Portrait Gallery and historian with expertise in the field of Latin America.

“The National Portrait Gallery is proud to be a co-organizer and presenter of ‘Retratos: 2,000 Years of Latin American Portraits,’” says NPG Director Marc Pachter. “A dazzling exhibition, it underscores the commitment of the museum and Ford Motor Company Fund to affirm our nation’s interest in the rich cultures of the Americas. Given the strength of the bilingual community in the Washington region, we are pleased to make many of our educational materials and activities available in Spanish as well as English.”

“Ford Motor Company Fund is proud to partner with such a distinguished team of scholars to make the ‘Retratos’ project possible,” said Sandra E. Ulsh, President, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Ford Motor Company Fund is dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity and to supporting arts and education programs that stimulate cross-cultural exchange. Following the Ford-sponsored exhibitions ‘El Alma del Pueblo’ and ‘Visiones del Pueblo,’ ‘Retratos’ furthers Ford Motor Company Fund’s commitment to honoring the heritage and achievements of the Latino community.”

National Tour - The exhibition premiered in New York City at El Museo del Barrio (Dec. 3, 2004 – March 20, 2005) then traveled to the San Diego Museum of Art (April 16-June 12). It will go to the Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach, Fla. (July 23-Oct. 2). After its stay at the Smithsonian, the exhibition will travel to the San Antonio Museum Art (Feb. 4, 2006-April 30, 2006).