"The Skull of St. Francis' Meditation" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2019. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "St. Francis Kneeling Meditating on Death" by El Greco. Oil on canvas. 140 x 250 cm.

"The Skull of St. Francis' Meditation" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2019. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "St. Francis Kneeling Meditating on Death" by El Greco. Oil on canvas. 140 x 250 cm.

Work-document of "The Skull of St. Francis' Meditation" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2019.

Work-document of "The Skull of St. Francis' Meditation" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2019.

Installation view

Installation view

Installation view

Installation view

"The Sheperd's Shadow" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2019. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "The Veneration of the Shepherds" by El Greco. Oil on canvas. 140 x 250 cm.

"The Sheperd's Shadow" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2019. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "The Veneration of the Shepherds" by El Greco. Oil on canvas. 140 x 250 cm.

Work-document of "The Sheperd's Shadow" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2019.

Work-document of "The Sheperd's Shadow" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2019.

Installation view

Installation view

"Equestrian Portrait Sky", from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2019. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "Equestrian Portrait of Philip III" by Diego Velázquez. Mixed media on canvas. 140 x 250 cm.

"Equestrian Portrait Sky", from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2019. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "Equestrian Portrait of Philip III" by Diego Velázquez. Mixed media on canvas. 140 x 250 cm.

Work-document of "Equestrian Portrait Sky", from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2019.

Work-document of "Equestrian Portrait Sky", from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2019.

"Study of Pictorial Anatomy: “Woman in Blue”. Blue", 2020. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "Woman in Blue", by Pablo Picasso. Oil on canvas. 40 x 110 cm

"Study of Pictorial Anatomy: “Woman in Blue”. Blue", 2020. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "Woman in Blue", by Pablo Picasso. Oil on canvas. 40 x 110 cm

Work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: “Woman in Blue”. Blue", 2020.

Work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: “Woman in Blue”. Blue", 2020.

Installation view

Installation view

"The Floor of the Maja and the Celestina" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2020. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "Maja and Celestina", by Francisco de Goya. Mixed technique on canvas. 70 x 170 cm.

"The Floor of the Maja and the Celestina" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2020. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "Maja and Celestina", by Francisco de Goya. Mixed technique on canvas. 70 x 170 cm.

Detail of work-document of "The Floor of the Maja and the Celestina" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2020.

Detail of work-document of "The Floor of the Maja and the Celestina" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2020.

Work-document of "The Floor of the Maja and the Celestina" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2020.

Work-document of "The Floor of the Maja and the Celestina" from the "Archaeology of Color" series, 2020.

"Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Triumph of Bacchus / The Drunkards". Bacchus' Head", 2019. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "The Triumph of Bacchus", by Diego Velázquez. Oil on canvas. 100 x 130 cm

"Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Triumph of Bacchus / The Drunkards". Bacchus' Head", 2019. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "The Triumph of Bacchus", by Diego Velázquez. Oil on canvas. 100 x 130 cm

Detail of work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Triumph of Bacchus / The Drunkards". Bacchus' Head", 2019.

Detail of work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Triumph of Bacchus / The Drunkards". Bacchus' Head", 2019.

Work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Triumph of Bacchus / The Drunkards". Bacchus' Head", 2019.

Work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Triumph of Bacchus / The Drunkards". Bacchus' Head", 2019.

"Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Immaculate Conception of the Venerables". The Mantle of the Immaculate Conception", 2019. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "The Immaculate Conception of the Venerables", by Esteban Murillo. Oil on canvas. 33 x 59 cm.

"Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Immaculate Conception of the Venerables". The Mantle of the Immaculate Conception", 2019. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "The Immaculate Conception of the Venerables", by Esteban Murillo. Oil on canvas. 33 x 59 cm.

Work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Immaculate Conception of the Venerables". The Mantle of the Immaculate Conception", 2019.

Work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Immaculate Conception of the Venerables". The Mantle of the Immaculate Conception", 2019.

Installation view

Installation view

"Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "Portrait of Hugo Erfurth with his dog". The Table, the Tie, the Curtain and the Shirt", 2018. Polyptych which represents the stratigraphic photographs of the "Portrait of Hugo Erfurth with his dog", by Otto Dix. Encaustic painting on panel. 50 x 70 cm each.

"Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "Portrait of Hugo Erfurth with his dog". The Table, the Tie, the Curtain and the Shirt", 2018. Polyptych which represents the stratigraphic photographs of the "Portrait of Hugo Erfurth with his dog", by Otto Dix. Encaustic painting on panel. 50 x 70 cm each.

Work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "Portrait of Hugo Erfurth with his dog". The Table, the Tie, the Curtain and the Shirt", 2018.

Work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "Portrait of Hugo Erfurth with his dog". The Table, the Tie, the Curtain and the Shirt", 2018.

Installation view

Installation view

"Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "Philip II on Horseback". Horse's Head", 2018. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "Philip II on Horseback", by Pedro Pablo Rubens. Encaustic painting on canvas panel. 38 x 55 cm.

"Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "Philip II on Horseback". Horse's Head", 2018. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "Philip II on Horseback", by Pedro Pablo Rubens. Encaustic painting on canvas panel. 38 x 55 cm.

Work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "Philip II on Horseback". Horse's Head", 2018.

Work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "Philip II on Horseback". Horse's Head", 2018.

"Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Colossus". The Colossus' Skin", 2018. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "The Colossus", by Francisco de Goya. Encaustic painting on canvas panel. 38 x 55 cm.

"Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Colossus". The Colossus' Skin", 2018. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "The Colossus", by Francisco de Goya. Encaustic painting on canvas panel. 38 x 55 cm.

Work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Colossus". The Colossus' Skin", 2018.

Work-document of "Study of Pictorial Anatomy: "The Colossus". The Colossus' Skin", 2018.

"The Paradise Sky", 2020. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "Paradise" by Tintoretto. Oil on canvas. 33 x 55 cm.

"The Paradise Sky", 2020. It represents the stratigraphic photography of the work "Paradise" by Tintoretto. Oil on canvas. 33 x 55 cm.

Showcase view

Showcase view

Showcase view

Showcase view

Installation view

Installation view

Archaeology of Color

David Beltrán

from June 13, 2020 to August 27, 2020

Freijo Gallery presents the first solo exhibition by David Beltrán (Cuba, 1978) in Madrid, called Archaeology of Color, which shows two-dimensional abstract works based on stratigraphic photographs of particles from masterpieces from the Prado National Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum and the Reina Sofía National Art Museum. To do this, David Beltrán works with the restoration departments of international museums, thus combining art and science, establishing a close link between plastic arts and restoration. 

David Beltrán is a Cuban artist who works in various media such as photography, painting and installation. He was part of the "Edgar & David" duo (2000-2005), developing his first site-specific works and installations and at the same time being a member of the Enema Collective guided by the Cuban artist Lázaro Saavedra. In 2005 Beltrán was also a member of the group "La Teoría Dorada de Popeye", a multidisciplinary project with a rock band format using the aesthetics of actionism and Noise music genre as an icon representing a generation unsatisfied with its time. 

Among other spaces, Beltrán has shown his work in: Centro de Arte Contemporáneo Wifredo Lam, during the 13th Havana Biennial, 2019; Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana, Cuba, 2017; Biblioteca Nacional de Cuba, 2018; Fundación Ludwig de Cuba, Habana Gallery, Havana, Cuba, 2002; 8th Havana Biennial, Havana, Cuba, 2003; Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Triennale Bovisa, Milan, Italy, 2008; Centro de Desarrollo de las Artes Visuales, Havana, Cuba, 2011 and 2014; Fototeca de Cuba, Havana, Cuba, 2014; Trienal Poligráfica, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2015; ESMoA, Los Angeles, USA, 2017; PAMM, Miami, USA, 2017. 


Download press release

Download catalog

"Archaeology of Color" at POSTCONTEMPORÁNEA TV

Article in Artelogie, written by Suset Sánchez Sánchez. October 2021