Ms. Roseanny Genao shares that on Tuesday, May 30th, thirty-four students enrolled in third year Spanish headed to the MET for the acclaimed exhibition Juan de Pareja: Afro-Hispanic Painter. The MET in collaboration with the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture brought to life de Pareja’s story as evidenced by his own masterpieces.
De Pareja was a former enslaved person and apprentice of the renown Spanish royal court painter and Spanish Golden Age prodigy, Diego Velázquez. In fact, it was his master Velázquez’s portrait of Juan de Pareja that initially gained de Pareja world-wide recognition. Today; however, the public can appreciate Juan de Pareja’s story as told by his own works and talent.
The Schomburg Center which was keen in organizing the exhibit alongside the MET, is named after Afro-Puerto Rican historian, intellectual and educator, Arturo Alfonso Schomburg who made it his life’s mission to document, highlight, and bring to the forefront of the American educational system the history, stories and contributions of Blacks to this country and beyond.
After the exhibit, students headed to Spanish Harlem, to the Puerto Rican enclave known as El Barrio at East 106th and Third Avenue for some traditional Puerto Rican dishes at La Fonda Boricua. It was all indeed quite a special educational experience and adventure!
Thank you to everyone who made the trip possible, including Ms. Joanne Wu-Wong, parents, nurses Andrea and Danielle, and of course, our wonderful chaperones, Ms. Mateo and Ms. Rocchio. ¡Muchísimas gracias!
Enjoy the audiovisual highlights and a two short video created spontaneously (Ethan See & Augustus) and based on the exhibit.
Courtesy of Hui Wen Weng & Mahir Hossain (’24)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/199LVDVYXOv_UzSinLF8aK01pCm8NVomx/view?usp=sharing
Augustus Chin & Ethan Sie (’25):
