DepartmentTextiles-Hispano US

Confessing a Feeling

NameDrawing; Paño

Artist Robert Lee Martinez

CultureHispano

Date1984

Place madeNew Mexico, United States, North America

MediumCotton, ink

Dimensions16 5/16 × 15 15/16 in. (41.5 × 40.5 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, Museum Purchase from the Collection of Rudy Padilla, A.2022.41.6

Object numberA.2022.41.6

ProvenancePaños, or hand drawn works on handkerchiefs, particularly done in penitentiaries/prisons to give to loved ones. This collection was purchased with MNMF funds on June 20th, 1996, by Mariah Sacoman, previous Curator of Contemporary Hispanic Folk Art for the exhibition, “Paño Art from the `Inside’ Out” from July 21, 1996 - January 7, 1997, in the Hispanic Heritage Wing Changing Gallery. Rudy Padilla was a well-known paño and prison art collector, of which most of his collection was recently acquired by the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

DescriptionInk drawing on square, white handkerchief. Image of a man and woman embracing. The woman has very long hair and appears to be in a state of undress. The man has a mustache and is also shirtless. Surrounding the firgures are flowers and two butterflies. The words "Confessing A" are written above the figures, and "Feeling" is below them. The words are all in a cursive script. The piece is signed in the bottom, right corner.