Selena Quintanilla-Pérez Portrait by Al Rendón

Data Source

National Portrait Gallery

Exhibition Label

Known as the "queen of Tejano music," Selena Quintanilla-Pérez brought wide recognition to this South Texas blend of Mexican and American musical styles. Her powerful voice made her the idol of fans on both sides of the border. Wearing a bustier, tight pants, and a pouting smile, Selena set a new standard for Latin beauty, and her self-confidence on stage brought comparisons with Madonna. In 1990 she released Ven Conmigo, the first Tejano album by a female artist to go gold, and soon she had her own clothing line and national product endorsements. She won a Grammy Award in 1993, but her life ended tragically two years later, when a former president of her fan club shot and killed her. Selena’s death at age twenty-three caused a huge outpouring of grief, and her legend then converged with the rising stardom of fellow Latina singer Jennifer Lopez, who gave a strong performance in her first leading role in Selena (1997).

Artist

Al Rendón, born 1957

Sitter

Selena Quintanilla Perez, 16 Apr 1971 - 31 Mar 1995

Date

1993

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Alfred and Elizabeth Rendon

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Dimensions

Image: 33.2 x 25.9 cm (13 1/16 x 10 3/16")

Sheet: 33.9 x 26.6 cm (13 3/8 x 10 1/2")

Mat: 50.8 x 40.6 cm (20 x 16")

Type

Photograph

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Object number

NPG.2007.193

Culture

Selena Quintanilla Perez: Native American\American Indian\Southeastern\Cherokee

Selena Quintanilla Perez: American\Hispanic American\Mexican American

Selena Quintanilla Perez: Latina

Topic

Costume\Jewelry

Selena Quintanilla Perez: Female

Selena Quintanilla Perez: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Singer

Selena Quintanilla Perez: Performing Arts\Performer

Portrait

Place

United States\Texas\Nueces\Corpus Christi

Restrictions & Rights

©1993 Al Rendon

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