On the afternoon of September 5, 2019, Francisco Toledo He died at 79 years of age, leaving his legacy as a plastic artist from Juchitán, Oaxaca. Toledo tried his creative genius in various artistic disciplines such as painting, sculpture and engravinghis work led him to be considered one of Mexico's greatest artists and enjoyed international recognition.
Francisco Toledo, the most beloved artist and activist in Mexico.Miguel Tovar / Getty Images
Who was Francisco Toledo?
Francisco Toledo, born in Mexico City in 1940 and died in Oaxaca in 2019, was an outstanding Mexican artist, deeply rooted in Oaxaca, who is considered one of the most important in the country. His work, rich in color and symbolism, reflects his deep connection with the Mexican indigenous culture, especially the Zapotec.
Toledo was an activist who He founded various institutions and promoted local art and culture, supported numerous social causes focused on both the promotion and conservation of Mexican artistic heritageas free access to artistic training and environmental care. Toledo in a short summary was:
- A complete artist: Painter, recorder, sculptor and ceramist.
- An Oaxaca defender: He fought to preserve his cultural heritage.
- A cultural promoter: He founded institutions to promote art and culture.
His legacy lasts in every corner of Oaxaca And in culture around Mexico, making it an emblematic figure and recoded by many.
Where did you study?
At age 14 he began his engraving studies in the workshop of Arturo García Bustos and later Enter the free workshop of the School of Design and Crafts of the National Institute of Fine Arts. In the early 1960s he exhibited his work in Texas, USA, he also traveled to Paris to perfect his engraving technique and after five years, he returns to Mexico with a new artistic perspective.
In his works you can see the clear influence on nature and animalssuch as bats, toads and certain insects, painted with great beauty, but almost always with a touch of fantasy.