 By the mid 1700s, native-born artists working in the European tradition were active in Cuba.The first of these to leave a substantial, identifiable body of work was José Nicolás de la Escalera (1734 – 1804).Though mostly absent of originality, his religious scenes - particularly those decorating the cupola and altar of the Church of Santa María del Rosario near Havana - are spectacular, and include the first fine art depictions of Black Cuban slaves.