Light, color, in plein air, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Renoir are all prime examples of what the nineteenth century art movement impressionism was all about. Originating in France, this form of art took place outdoors, on the spot, or “en plein air,” contrasting the common practice of working in the studio and thus accurately capturing the landscape and scenes of everyday life. This with the combination and emerging popularity of oil tube paints in 1841 by American painter John Goffe (1801-1873) helped bring practicality to paint on-site versus its counterpart of the time, the pig’s bladder, which would occasionally burst in the process of transportation. The artists mentioned, the process of working quickly, focusing on light, and portraying nature accurately inspired many prominent artists from other countries that traveling to the European country just to learn and be part of the movement.

Impressionism inspired many artists worldwide. from the Spanish Joaquin Sorolla, American Mary Cassatt, and Puerto Rican Francisco Oller during his transatlantic voyage from the Caribbean island to cities like Madrid, Spain and Paris, France. While Oller’s work continues to be of mayor influence in Puerto Rico’s art scene, for a young and emerging artist from Puerto Rico, Emmanuel Navarro, it is the first mentioned, Sorolla, whom he references in his own artistic practice and in his debut solo exhibition Viajero en su Tierra (Traveler in his Land).

Raised in Villa Palmera, one of fourty sub neighborhoods located in San Juan’s Santurce, Navarro begins his training as an artist in 2014 through Atelier San Juan It is under the wings of teachers like Luis Borrero and Amber Lia-Koppel, where he begins to build his portfolio while also expanding his knowledge of artists and painting techniques.

After gaining this experience and base to build upon, Emmanuel goes on and continues working on his academic progression but this time independently in 2020 by practicing in plein air painting. In this first year of practice, Navarro carefully studied Sorolla’s work, color palette, and techniques, applying them to his work as he analyzed each completed painting and used them as a base for what to do and what not to do in his subsequent work. Not all his practice paintings survived, as some canvases and wooden panels were reused for new practice exercises. 2020 was crucial to the artist, leading to a focused and consistent production of paintings for 2021 and 2022. Because of his work and dedication, Navarro has participated in two programs; the Hudson River School Fellowship and Atelier Solar in Spain, eventually concluding in his first debut solo exhibition Viajero en su Tierra, sponsored by Fundación Araná, which opened on January 28, 2023, and will conclude on February 25, 2023.

The exhibition consists of 17 paintings that vary from small to large format. True to its title, the presentation showcases Navarro’s work which was done by traveling and exploring his homeland of Puerto Rico by visiting scenery in the municipalities of San Juan, Manatí, Dorado, Cabo Rojo, and San Germán, capturing and documenting environments of the everyday life in Puerto Rico. From its coasts, fauna, mountains, architecture, city life, and, most importantly, the luminosity that many believe can only be experienced on this Caribbean island.

As to what we can expect from this young and promising artist?

We will see a further exploration in other municipalities within Puerto Rico, with other scenes that may only and truly be appreciated by a local and those who know the island’s history.

There will also be an implementation of the human figure. Possibly portraits which Navarro has been practicing since the start of his independent studies in 2020. Whether we will find figures in his landscapes, or by true impressionist fashion, if he will go onto experiment with realism, as the French and Puerto Rico’s Francisco Oller did, remains to be seen.