One of the most important Latin American artists of the 20th century, Wifredo Lam developed a unique painting style that fused elements of Cubism, Surrealism, and Afro-Cuban culture. During his formative, extensive travels in Europe, Lam was mentored by Pablo Picasso, studied under an instructor who’d taught Salvador Dalí, and developed close ties with avant-garde artists including Georges Braque, Henri Matisse, and Joan Miró. Born to a Chinese father and a mother of mixed African, European, and Indian heritage, Lam was also influenced by Santeria spiritual traditions, African masks, and Oceanic art. Many of his paintings were dominated by earthen hues and hybrid human-animal-vegetable figures with mask-like faces. Lam’s work has commanded seven figures on the secondary market and can be found in the collections of the Tate, the Guggenheim Museum, the Centre Pompidou, and the Museo Reina Sofía. While he’s best known for his paintings, Lam also created sculptures, drawings, and prints.