Sodaro South Wing

Emigdio Vasquez: The Godfather of Chicano Art

December 13, 2025 – May 30, 2026

The art of Emigdio Vasquez (1939-2014) returns to the Hilbert Museum in what marks the largest and most comprehensive collection of his works ever exhibited, spanning more than four decades of creative achievement by the acclaimed artist from Orange. Many of the works in the show have never been shown in public before.

Featuring more than 50 oil paintings drawn from the collections of Vasquez’s family and other devoted collectors, the exhibition traces his evolution from the expressive portraits of the mid-1960s to the profound social narratives of his later years. The paintings range from portraits and still lifes to engaging views of Vasqeuz’s Orange barrio community to powerful scenes honoring Mexican American history and culture. Together, these paintings reflect not only his artistic mastery but also the enduring spirit that connects his legacy across generations.

A new book on Vasquez’s life and legacy, written by his daughter, Rosemary Vasquez Tuthill, will be available at the museum to accompany this exhibition.