Born in Mexico City in the early 1900s, Miguel Covarrubias (at age 14) began making illustrations for Mexican educational publications. At age 19, on a grant from the Mexican government, he moved to New York City in 1924.
A contemporary of artists Diego Rivera and Frido Kahlo, he was soon absorbed into the “smart set” and began drawing for magazines including Vanity Fair. His studies of racial characteristics, primarily Mexican, Negro, and Balinese in his unique style were widely popular on the ‘edgy’ side of the Harlem Jazz Scene.
From there, Covarrubias moved into theater design, creating sets and costumes and focusing on ethnic productions such as La Revue Negre (with Josephine Baker) and Rancho Mexicano, among others.
He married dancer and choreographer Rosa Rolanda and traveled the world during the 1920s. Rosa became a photographer during those trips, her most famous work featured in the book by Miguel “Island Of Bali” contributing to the Bali craze of the time.
Miguel Covarrubias died in February of 1957 in Mexico City, Mexico. He was 52 years old.
Below are some selections from “Negro Drawings” a collection of his works published in 1927.
10 x 7.25″
$25.00
10 x 7.25″
$25.00
10 x 7.25″
$25.00
10 x 7.25″
$25.00
10 x 7.25″
$25.00
I have sold many of the illustrations, and unfortunately, eBay ended a few of them under their new ‘offensive material’ policy. They are available for purchase on this page if they have an “add to cart” button. Each print measures 10 x 7.25 inches.