Tamayo’s Roots

Christopher Knight did not mention the cultural influences of Rufino Tamayo’s Zapotec roots in “The Modern Ancient” (Calendar, June 25). The Zapotec culture of Oaxaca was as unique and rich with visual expression as the Aztec, Mayan and Toltec cultures mentioned in Knight’s essay. Also, one of the reasons Tamayo was so willing to paint a portrait of Benito Juarez was that he, too, was of Zapotec Indian descent. We Zapotecs would appreciate receiving credit where credit is due.

LYNDA (MARTINEZ) KUDELKO FOLEY

Van Nuys