Archbishop Flores
Collection: Houston Public Library (HPL)
Unknown
Oil on Canvas
Location:
Houston Public Library, Flores Branch, Jose Perez, Archbishop Flores, n.d.
110 N. Milby Street
Houston, TX 77003
About the Artwork:
Archbishop (1984)
by Jose Perez
Portraits are paintings commissioned to depict specific people. Here, Jose Perez features Archbishop Patricio “Patrick” Férnandez Flores using oil paints, a tradition made famous during the Renaissance in honor of a person’s accomplishments, roles, or status. Flores was born in Ganado, TX on July 26, 1929, soon working the migrant farmworker circuit throughout South Texas alongside his parents and eight siblings. In 1940, Flores’ family moved to Pearland where he became more involved in the Catholic Church. He would study at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston before being ordained into priesthood by the Diocese of Galveston-Houston in 1956. Flores became the first Mexican American bishop and archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church in the US in 1970 for El Paso and 1979 for San Antonio, respectively. The Flores Neighborhood Library is named in his honor. In his portrait, Flores rests his right hand on a chair, often meaning authority, while holding the Bible in his left hand. He wears a purple cassock with red piping, standard for archbishops to show their authority and rank. Over his shoulder is a coat of arms while his expression shows his mouth open. Did Perez paint him mid-speech while looking at the viewer? Why?
Archbishop (1984)
by Jose Perez
Portraits are paintings commissioned to depict specific people. Here, Jose Perez features Archbishop Patricio “Patrick” Férnandez Flores using oil paints, a tradition made famous during the Renaissance in honor of a person’s accomplishments, roles, or status. Flores was born in Ganado, TX on July 26, 1929, soon working the migrant farmworker circuit throughout South Texas alongside his parents and eight siblings. In 1940, Flores’ family moved to Pearland where he became more involved in the Catholic Church. He would study at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston before being ordained into priesthood by the Diocese of Galveston-Houston in 1956. Flores became the first Mexican American bishop and archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church in the US in 1970 for El Paso and 1979 for San Antonio, respectively. The Flores Neighborhood Library is named in his honor. In his portrait, Flores rests his right hand on a chair, often meaning authority, while holding the Bible in his left hand. He wears a purple cassock with red piping, standard for archbishops to show their authority and rank. Over his shoulder is a coat of arms while his expression shows his mouth open. Did Perez paint him mid-speech while looking at the viewer? Why?
Arzobispo (1984)
por Jose Perez
por Jose Perez
Los retratos son pinturas que representan a personas específicas. Aquí, José Pérez presenta al arzobispo Patricio “Patrick” Fernández Flores usando pinturas al óleo, una tradición que se hizo famosa durante el Renacimiento en honor a los logros, roles, o estatus de una persona. Flores nació en Ganado, Texas, el 26 de julio de 1929 y pronto trabajó en el circuito de trabajadores agrícolas migrantes en todo el sur de Texas junto con sus padres y ocho hermanos. En 1940, la familia de Flores se mudó a Pearland, donde se involucró más en la Iglesia Católica. Estudiaría en el Seminario de Santa María en Houston antes de ser ordenado sacerdote por la Diócesis de Galveston-Houston en 1956. Flores se convirtió en el primer obispo y arzobispo mexicoamericano de la Iglesia Católica Romana en los EE. UU. en 1970 para El Paso y 1979 para San Antonio, respectivamente. La Biblioteca Vecinal de Flores lleva su nombre. En su retrato, Flores apoya su mano derecha sobre una silla, lo que a menudo significa autoridad, mientras sostiene la Biblia en su mano izquierda. Lleva una sotana morada con ribetes rojos, estandarte de los arzobispos para mostrar su autoridad y rango. Sobre su hombro hay un escudo de armas mientras su expresión muestra su boca abierta. ¿Lo pintó Pérez en pleno discurso mientras miraba al espectador? ¿Por qué?