Artist
Frank Diaz Escalet

(Bishop Romero Series)

 House of Escalet is proud to present the first seven paintings in an ongoing series by artist 
 Frank Diaz Escalet honoring the moving and tragic story of Bishop Oscar Romero in 
 El   Salvador.

 In 1981 Bishop Romero was killed for his outspoken resistance to the inhumanity heaped 
 upon the poor people of El Salvador by their Government. Although the political strife
 continues and will someday end, the heroic efforts of Bishop Romero will go down in history
 as one of the truly unselfish acts of humankind.

Frank Diaz Escalet has dedicated his talents and energies to commemorating Bishop Romero and others who died in the name of justice in a very unique, original series of paintings that depict the love and devotion of a martyr in the truest sense of the word.

Read more about the paintings at the bottom of this page

Click on images or titles to zoom into larger view.

 

Obispo Romero y Los Martires Jesuitas de El Salvador
                              36" X 48" (© 1995)
This painting is now in the permanent collection of the Organization of the American States Museum, in Washington, D.C. as of 7-16-96

The composition is centered around the six Jesuit priests and the two female kitchen workers that were murdered. All of them are represented as blades of wheat which I felt were a sign of purity, while death was in the form of the grim reaper about to cut them down, and San Romero appears as the saviour of the earth.

 

 Religiosas de Norte America y Monsenor Romero
                         36" X 48" (© 1996 )

This painting is now in the permanent collection of Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY as of fall of 1996.
This painting was done in memory of the three nuns and missionary Jean Donovan. Expressing his feelings, Dr. Lozano said, "So they too, would not be forgotten". In this composition I placed God on his perch (not seen) as he looks down on his flock to see the arrival of them guided by San Romero to heaven.


La Voz de Los Humildes y Desamparados
72 X 48 (©1996)

This painting is in the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Gallery in Ossining, NY

I felt that "La Voz" had to be more dramatic by having San Romero as a pillar of light to all of the camposinos in desperation to escape annihilation and he was a powerful voice for the voiceless.

 

San Romero de Las Americas
36" X 48" (© 1997)

This painting is in the permanent collection of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont, Texas as of 9-2-97.

San Romero appears as an angel sheparding his flock of children from immediate danger to a safe haven.

Lagrimas de Los Angles para San Romero
36" X 48" (© 1997)

This painting is in the permanent collection of the Ella Noel Museum of Odessa, Texas  A gift from Dr. Jose Lozano of Beaumont, Texas

Six angels have arrived to lift San Romero to heaven while shedding many tears of love.

Los Angeles Con San Romero
36" X 48" (© 1998)

Private Collection of the Artist

Un Regalo de Dios el Mundo Entero
36" X 48" (© 1998)

Permanent collection: New Britain Museum of American Art

Gift of Dr. Jose Lozano - Beaumont, TX 9/7/02

Below is an account of the paintings in the words of the artist,

Frank Diaz Escalet.

My series of paintings on Bishop Romero came about after being introduced to his story by Dr. Jose Lozano of Beaumont, Texas. Dr. Lozano had purchased one of my artists proofs called "Mojados" and called back afterwards and asked if I would be interrested in a project of his involving the life of the Bishop and the terrible situation in El Salvador.

I had read a slight history from the news about this but never dreamed what was really going on in El Salvador. The good doctor sent tapes, news articles, books, photos, etc. to me and I studied everything in detail. I was so outraged that I just could not remain uninvolved or silent.. I was shocked and so moved by the life of the bishop and the others that have been tortured and murdered that I wanted to dramatize the events. I hope that I have succeeded.

I have finished seven paintings depicting the bishop and the poor people of El Salvador. I have planned a series of paintings to commemorate Bishop Romero and the others martyred.

Taken from: JOHN 12:24

"I must die like a kernel of wheat that falls into the furrows of the earth. Unless I die, I will be alone, a single seed. But my death will produce many new wheat kernels - a plentiful harvest of new lives."

I remain, most sincerely,

for World Peace and Understanding

Frank Diaz Escalet

 

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