Rufino Tamayo, born in Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico in 1899, was a prominent painter, printmaker, and sculptor of Zapotec heritage. Tamayo began his artistic career as a teacher of drawing and physical education before moving to Mexico City in the 1920s to pursue a career in art. Tamayo’s work was influenced by Pre-Columbian art as well as European modernism.
One of Tamayo’s most famous works is the mural he created for the Palacio Nacional de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. Completed in 1951, the mural depicts Mexican history from pre-Hispanic times to the present day. Throughout his career, Tamayo worked with a variety of media, including oil on canvas, lithography, and sculpture.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Tamayo was also involved in cultural organizations throughout his life. He served as director of the Department of Plastic Arts at the National Institute of Fine Arts from 1948 to 1953 and was a founding member of both the Salón de la Plástica Mexicana and the Mexican Society of Graphic Art.
Tamayo’s legacy continues today through exhibitions around the world showcasing his varied body or work which spans over six decades until his death on June 24th 1991 due cancer complications at age 91.
All Rufino Tamayo Artwork on Artchive
| Artwork Name | Year | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Animals | 1941 | Oil on Canvas |
| Women of Tehuantepec | 1939 | Oil on Canvas |
