Like many costumbrista artists, Victor Landaluze was born in Spain. His tendency to ridicule what he considered unique and laughable in Cuban society was a source of embarrassment to members of the isleño bourgeoisie, who took pains to avoid these subjects in artistic expression (Castellanos 1990, 28).

Landaluze is especially interesting as an early representative of Cuban nationalist art, despite his strong allegiance to Spain and his conservative political views. As Portuondo points out, "This man, who was a decided enemy of [Cuban] independence and other progressive political movements… was also the initiator of Cuban painting."

Some suggest that the works of Landaluze directly anticipate those of the afr...