José María Velasco: Bridging Orientalism and Mexican Landscape José María Velasco (1840 – 1912) occupies a unique position in the annals of nineteenth-century Mexican art, representing an extraordinary fusion between European artistic currents—primarily Orientalism—and the burgeoning landscape painting movement deeply rooted in Mexican identity. Born in Mexico City, his artistic trajectory was characterized by unwavering dedication to portraying both exotic vistas and intimate portraits, mirroring the intellectual dialogues shaping his era. Velasasco’s stylistic evolution commenced with a f…