Cabeza Roja (1975) Printmaking by Rufino Tamayo

Rufino Tamayo, born on August 25, 1899, in Oaxaca, Mexico, was a celebrated Mexican painter, sculptor, and printmaker renowned for his unique blend of traditional Mexican themes with modern artistic techniques. Orphaned at an early age, he moved to Mexico City to live with his aunt and initially enrolled in the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas at San Carlos in 1917. However, he left to pursue a more self-directed approach to art, heavily influenced by the indigenous art of Oaxaca.

Tamayo's work stood apart from the dominant Mexican muralism movement led by artists like Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco. While muralists focused on politically charged themes and large-scale public works, Tamayo explored more personal and universal themes, incorporating elements of abstraction and surrealism. His early career involved experimentation with various styles, from cubism to impressionism, but he gradually developed his distinctive approach, characterized by a synthesis of modern European styles and pre-Columbian Mexican art. His use of bold colors and textured surfaces became trademarks of his work.

Tamayo’s career took a significant turn in the 1930s when he moved to New York City. During this period, he gained international recognition, and his work began to be exhibited in prestigious galleries and museums. He also taught at the Dalton School and the Brooklyn Museum. Among his most notable works are "Animals" (1941), showcasing his fascination with pre-Columbian culture and mythology, featuring abstract animal forms rendered in earthy tones; "Children Playing with Fire" (1947), a powerful piece combining traditional Mexican imagery with modernist abstraction; and "Man and Woman" (1980), exemplifying his mature style characterized by dynamic composition and rich color palette. Tamayo also made significant contributions to printmaking, particularly in the medium of Mixografía, which he developed in collaboration with the Taller de Gráfica Mexicana, allowing for greater texture and depth in prints.

Throughout his career, Tamayo received numerous awards and honors. In 1988, he was awarded the Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor, Mexico’s highest civilian award. He also received the National Prize for Arts and Sciences in Fine Arts from the Mexican government. Tamayo's influence extends beyond his paintings, as he was a passionate advocate for the arts, founding the Rufino Tamayo Museum in Mexico City in 1981, housing an extensive collection of contemporary art. His legacy is also preserved in the Museo de Arte Prehispánico de México Rufino Tamayo in Oaxaca, which he established to showcase pre-Columbian art.

Rufino Tamayo passed away on June 24, 1991, in Mexico City. His death marked the end of an era, but his works continue to be celebrated worldwide. Major retrospectives of his work have been held in prominent institutions such as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid. Rufino Tamayo remains a pivotal figure in 20th-century art, bridging the gap between traditional Mexican art and modernist movements. His innovative use of color, texture, and form has left an indelible mark on the art world, ensuring his place as one of Mexico's most revered artists.

• Nationality: MEXICO
• Date of birth : 1899
• Artistic domains: Represented by a Gallery,
• Groups: Contemporary Mexican Artists Artists presented by a gallery

The Artist was highlighted in an article in Artmajeur Magazine:

Rufino Tamayo: A Modernist Pioneer in Mexican Art