Judith Alpi

Alpi was born in Santiago on 3 March 1893.[1] She studied at the School of Fine Arts in Santiago, where she was taught by Fernando Álvarez de Sotomayor, Juan Francisco González and Alberto Valenzuela Llanos.[1] Known for her portraiture, and self-portraiture,[2] she became a member of the movement known as Generación del 13.[1]

During this time Alpi was painted by Elmina Moisan.[3] Along with Moisan, Alpi exhibited her work alongside Ximena Morla de Subercaseaux, Sara Camino (es), Dora Puelma and Miriam Sanfuentes from 1915 to 1916.[4] These works were shown in what were termed the 'Salons of Santaiago' and Alpi was one of the first six artists to exhibit in them.[5] Prizes were awarded to Alpi, including: third prize medal in 1915; second prize in 1919, the portrait prize in 1924, and the first prize medal in 1926.[4] She also exhibited internationally, for example at the Ibero-American Exhibition in Seville in 1929, where her work White Kimono was awarded a prize. She also showed work at the Exhibition of Contemporary Chilean Paintings and Sculptures in Buenos Aires in 1953.[5]

Alpi was a lecturer at the School of Plastic Arts at Liceo Nº1 de Niñas in Santiago.[6] She was also a founder National Society of Fine Arts, together with the painters Juan Francisco González and Pedro Reszka.[1] She died in Santiago on 5 February 1983.[1]

In 2017 the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts exhibited one of Alpi's portraits of the artist Laura Rodig as part of the exhibition Ellas por ellas mismas.[5] Her work today is recognised for its focus on women's identity - in particular the Rodig portraits are known for how they depict the complexity of the artist's character.[2]