1980
A common scene found in the more remote areas of Mexico where indigenous tribes and people live. Escalera saw a profound beauty in the simple task of washing clothes in a creek by hand against stone. In his imagination he saw a beautiful maiden, tall and proud, finished with her laundry, walking away from the others who are mocking her for really no other reason that they are jealous of her. They have “Envy” in their hearts, hence the name of the piece.
Fun Fact - an art critic once, doing what critics do best, was criticizing the piece… his commentary was “the piece is cold, lifeless, leaves me feeling and sensing envy in the majority of the characters. Unbeknownst to the critic that WAS the name of the painting. Mission accomplished by Escalera!