Bandito (painting)

Bandito is a well-known painting by Paul Cordes Wilm which has been displayed at the end of the bar in the main dining room at Rojo since it opened in 2002. The character depicted has served as a mascot for the restaurant, reproduced on t-shirts and other merchandise.

The painting is based on an illustration of a Mexican bandit (bandito or bandido) used on the poster for the 1948 Filmadora Chapultepec western feature "Espuelas de oro" ("Spurs of Gold"). In Wilm's rendering, the bandit's jacket is more elaborately patterned, and his neckerchief incorporates images from other film posters. Wilm faithfully reproduced the awkward finger positions of the hands aiming pistols at the viewer.

Later, Wilm was commissioned to create a painting of a Chupacabra, which hangs above the restaurant's drink station and appears to be targeted by the bandito. Additional works by Wilm at Rojo include "Aztec Warrior" and "Laughing Ladies". All of the pieces share a bold, red background.

External links

• Bandito at paulcordeswilm.com