Triptych of Women – Vicky Montesinos

Artist: Vicky Montesinos (Mexican, b. 1944)
Date: Circa 1984–1987
Medium: Limited Edition Color Serigraph (or Lithograph) on paper
Dimensions: Approximately 61.5″ W x 43.5″ H (Framed)

This composition, often titled “Woman Triptych” or “Triptych of Women,” epitomizes Montesinos’ signature “Soft Realism” style. The work features three enigmatic female figures enveloped in an atmospheric, ethereal background that blurs the line between the subject and the surrounding space. The central figure, adorned in a vibrant, wide-brimmed yellow hat, serves as the focal point, creating a sharp contrast against the deep blues and muted charcoal tones of the flanking figures. Her style is heavily influenced by her upbringing in a cinematic family in Mexico, characterized by dramatic lighting and a sense of refined, Art Deco-inspired fashion.

Technically, this piece is a high-quality print from a limited edition of 300, as indicated by the pencil numbering in the lower-left corner. Montesinos is celebrated for her ability to render delicate textures, such as the translucent quality of the women’s wraps and the soft, velvet-like finish of the hats, using complex layering techniques. This specific triptych-style arrangement is a rare large-format work that showcases her transition from traditional Mexican portraiture to the more stylized, international aesthetic she developed after moving to New York in 1983.