María Esther Panesso Mercado Marks a Milestone for Colombian Art Following Her Exhibition at the Paris Salon d’Automne
The lawyer and painter brings the Colombian flag to one of Europe’s oldest art showcases, consolidating a career that unites the rigor of law with aesthetic sensibility.
The convergence of law and art has led María Esther Panesso Mercado to become the third Colombian artist to exhibit at the historic Salon d’Automne in Paris. Her presence at the exhibition, which took place from October 28 to November 2, 2025, not only represented an individual achievement but also ratified the relevance of national talent in one of the world’s most demanding showcases, active since 1907 and the cradle of 20th-century artistic avant-gardes.
Universal masters such as Picasso and Rodin have exhibited in this space.
The Impact of ‘Dualities of the Soul’
Panesso presented her collection Dualities of the Soul (Dualidades del Alma), a work that was received as a profound reflection on human contradictions. The artist managed to materialize the dialogue between reason and emotion, integrating her role as a family lawyer—focused on dignity and justice—with her artistic vision.
A Rising Career
Prior to her arrival in France, Panesso made history by becoming the first Colombian woman to exhibit at the Beka Museum in New York’s Rockefeller Center, projecting her visual identity on the Nasdaq screens in Times Square.
She was also recognized by Forbes as one of the 50 most creative Colombians in the world.
Legacy and Memory
The success of her work in Europe also resonated due to its emotional and documentary weight. Influenced by masters such as Degas, Obregón, and Botero, Panesso’s narrative remained true to her roots: female resilience, inspired by her mother (which is why she signs her work as Mercado), and the discipline instilled by her father.
With this milestone in Paris, María Esther Panesso not only exhibited paintings but also bore witness to the capacity of Colombian art to heal, transform, and transcend borders.