Efraín Recinos
Encyclopedia
Efraín Enrique Recinos Valenzuela (May 15, 1928 – October 2, 2011) was a Guatemala
n contemporary architect
, muralist, urbanist, painter
and sculptor.
Recinos' works adorn the facade
s and interiors of many of Guatemala's landmark buildings, including the National Library of Guatemala
. However, he is best known as the architect of the Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias
, which serves as the county's national theater and largest cultural complex, opened in 1978. Recinos designed the large, white structure set on a hill to resemble a jaguar
, using insipiration from more traditional Mayan
motifs. The government considers the theater as a National Heritage site.
Additionally, Recinos also painted the murals located in the Guatemalan National Music Conservatory. Other examples of his work can be found inside La Aurora International Airport
and the National Mortgage building. The government of Guatemala awarded him the Order of the Quetzal
, one of the country's highest honors for his artistic contributions during his career.
Recinos was born in Quetzaltenango
, Guatemala
, in 1928. He died at the Hospital Hermano Pedro in Guatemala City
on October 2, 2011, at the age of 83. He had been treated for an ulcer.
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
n contemporary architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, muralist, urbanist, painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and sculptor.
Recinos' works adorn the facade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
s and interiors of many of Guatemala's landmark buildings, including the National Library of Guatemala
National Library of Guatemala
The National Library of Guatemala is the national library of Guatemala. It is located in Zone 1 of Guatemala City near the National Palace of Guatemala....
. However, he is best known as the architect of the Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias
Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias
The Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias, commonly named Teatro Nacional, is a cultural center in Guatemala City, Guatemala. It is located in the Centro Cívico of the city and was built in the same place of the old Fuerte de San José. Its form, which emulates a seated jaguar, stands out from the...
, which serves as the county's national theater and largest cultural complex, opened in 1978. Recinos designed the large, white structure set on a hill to resemble a jaguar
Jaguar
The jaguar is a big cat, a feline in the Panthera genus, and is the only Panthera species found in the Americas. The jaguar is the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The jaguar's present range extends from Southern United States and Mexico...
, using insipiration from more traditional Mayan
Mayan
The adjective Mayan is sometimes used to refer to the indigenous peoples of southeastern Mexico and parts of Central America, such as Guatemala; their culture, language, and history...
motifs. The government considers the theater as a National Heritage site.
Additionally, Recinos also painted the murals located in the Guatemalan National Music Conservatory. Other examples of his work can be found inside La Aurora International Airport
La Aurora International Airport
La Aurora International Airport serves Guatemala City, Guatemala. It is located south of Guatemala City's center and from Antigua. It is administered by the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil....
and the National Mortgage building. The government of Guatemala awarded him the Order of the Quetzal
Order of the Quetzal
The Order of the Quetzal is Guatemala’s highest honor. Established in 1973, it is bestowed by the Government of Guatemala. The award acknowledges officials of nations, organizations and other entities whose artistic, civic, humanitarian, or scientific works merit special recognition....
, one of the country's highest honors for his artistic contributions during his career.
Recinos was born in Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango, also commonly known by its indigenous name, Xelajú , or more commonly, Xela , is the second largest city of Guatemala. It is both the capital of Quetzaltenango Department and the municipal seat of Quetzaltenango municipality....
, Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
, in 1928. He died at the Hospital Hermano Pedro in Guatemala City
Guatemala City
Guatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
on October 2, 2011, at the age of 83. He had been treated for an ulcer.