HAVANA
1959
Cuba: America’s Prodigal Son
Soon after the stroke of midnight on January 1, 1959, an armed revolt led by Fidel Castro, overthrew the U.S.-backed dictator
Fulgencio Batista of Cuba.
The movement that began in 1953, led to a commercial, economic and financial embargo that began in October 1960 and
exists to this day and which limits U.S. travel to the island nation.
In November, 2009, Radnor,
PA artist George H. Rothacker,
traveled to Havana with his wife
Barbara and two friends, with the
purpose of painting the city as it
looks 50 years after the revolution.
“It is a beautiful city stuck in
time,” commented George. “The
people are friendly and the
environment safe. But many of the
great buildings continue to decay,
and much of the city is impoverished.”
Through fall, 2011, George intends
to paint the people, buildings
Waiting – 24” x 36”, Acrylic on Canvas – George H. Rothacker, 2009
and cars of Havana. “After the
embargo, no new American cars were
imported into the country, and today cars from the late ’40s through 1950s serve as taxis and for personal transportation for
many in Cuba. We were told by a guide that the Cubans are good mechanics, and manufacture many of their own parts for
their vehicles, so the cars are a testimony to the emotional connection Cuban people retain with the U.S, their hope that the
embargo will soon end, and that relations with our country are restored.”
In April, 2009, despite overwhelming disfavorable opinions of Fidel Castro, a CNN/ Opinion Research corporation poll showed
that 64% of Americans surveyed believe that the U.S. should lift its travel ban on Cuba while 71% think the U.S. should
reestablish diplomatic relations with Cuba.*
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_embargo_against_Cuba
For more information on availability of “Havana 1959 - the Paintings of Cuba,” contact [email protected]
George H. Rothacker • 216 Radnor Chester Road • Villanova, PA 19085
(w) 610.566.0334 • (h) 610.688.6107 • www.GeorgeRothacker.com