Natural vocation

“Natural vocation” is the most important work to emerge from the early stages of the artistic career of Carlos Baca-Flor. In his book “Lives”, Giorgio Vasari tells us that Giotto (1267-1337) was a humble shepherd boy, who in his moments of rest would draw his sheep on rocks. One day, the renowned artist Cimabue discovered these drawings. Amazed by the boy’s talent, he made him his apprentice.
Baca-Flor may have identified with this story, seeing himself as Giotto, waiting for his big opportunity, as expressed by the box upon which the boy is leaning, where the word “Paris” can be seen, a reference to the center of the international art scene of the period.
Another important aspect of this canvas is the attention paid to depicting the model’s anatomy. However, the artist found himself working at a time when impressionism was beginning to make its influence felt, breaking with academic traditions. And so, Baca-Flor was one of the last artists to adhere to the classical ideal of anatomical perfection and detailed description.