Manuel Rodríguez Lozano
Encyclopedia
Manuel Rodríguez Lozano was a Mexican
painter.
, and started a diplomatic service career. In Spain, he met Carmen Mondragón
, daughter of general Manuel Mondragón
, whom he married on August 13, 1913. They traveled to Paris
, where they got contact to the avant-garde
movement there, met Henri Matisse
, Georges Braque
, Pablo Picasso
, André Lhote
, André Salmon
and Jean Cassou
, between others. Afterwards they moved to San Sebastián
, Spain, where they autodidactically trained painting. During the seven-year stay in Europe, their son died, reportedly due to a fury attack of Carmen Mondragón. His death was probably the cause of their separation, although other possible causes are Rodríguez-Lozano's bisexuality or Carmen Mondragón's nymphomaniac tendencies. It is unknown whether or not they ever officially separated. In 1921 both returned to Mexico, where Carmen Mondragón met Gerald Murillo aka Dr Atl, who gave her the name "Nahui Ollin".
Manuel Rodríguez Lozano for his part, moved to Chapultepec
, kept on painting, and had an intensive affair with the young artist Abraham Ángel
who had introduced him to new painting styles. Rodríguez Lozano did not belong to these artist, which were promoted by the secretary of education José Vasconcelos
. In 1923, Roberto Montenegro
arranged contact with Francisco Sergio Iturbe, who became sponsor of Rodríguez Lozano's work, and who inspired him for the works "Los tableros de la muerte", better known as the "Santa Ana muerta" series. Through 1924 he was chief of the art department of primary schools in Mexico City, and reformed Adolfo Best Maugard
's methods. Together with Abraham Ángel and Julio Castellanos
, he visited several cultural places of Argentina. After the return to Mexico, Ángel committed suicide. Together with some pupils, Rodríguez Lozano returned to Paris, where he exhibited some of his works as well as works of the children. In 1927, back in Mexico, he met Antonieta Rivas Mercado
, who felt seriously in love with him, but he did not reciprocate her love. Together with other notable artists and intellectuals he participated in the Teatro Ulises
after 1927, where he painted sceneries. Additionally he exhibited together with Julio Castellanos, Rufino Tamayo
and Agustín Lazo. For a further year, he continued his studies in France in 1931. Between 1932 and 1940, he established and organized the "La paloma azul", a ballet group with famous dancers like Ana Mérida
and Anna Sokolow
. In 1940 he became director of the National School of Arts
of the UNAM
. At this time he got contact to famous artists, and wrote for several magazines and journals. Rodríguez Lozano made no bones about his homosexuality, his office was upholstered with pictures of his male lovers. In August 1941, several engravings of Albrecht Dürer
were stolen in the National School, probably organized by university political groups opposite to him. Rodríguez Lozano was found responsible for the theft, and was imprisoned, which caused solidarity of intellectuals and friends. In the Lecumberri prison he painted his mural "La piedad en el desierto", which was transferred to the Museum of the Palacio de Bellas Artes
later. In 1945 he painted his mural "El holocausto", and was invited to exhibit his work in the French Musée de l'Orangerie
. He always distanced himself from the official promoted group of Mexican muralists, and held several exhibitions independently in his hometown.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
painter.
Biography
Rodríguez Lozano was born to Manuel Rodríguez and his wife Sara Lozano. He began a military education at the Heroico Colegio MilitarHeroic Military Academy (Mexico)
The Heroic Military College is a military educational institution founded in Mexico in 1823 in the former Palace of the Inquisition, under the name Cadet Academy taken in 1823 the name of Colegio Militar, settling in Perote, Veracruz, to return to Mexico City and occupied the Betlemitas monastery...
, and started a diplomatic service career. In Spain, he met Carmen Mondragón
Carmen Mondragón
María del Carmen Mondragón Valseca, also known as "Nahui Olin" was a Mexican artist's model, painter and poet.- Biography :...
, daughter of general Manuel Mondragón
Manuel Mondragón
Manuel Mondragón was a Mexican military officer who played a prominent role in the Mexican Revolution. He was born in Ixtlahuaca, State of Mexico in 1859 and died in exile in Spain in 1952. He graduated from the Mexican Military Academy as an artillery officer in 1880. He designed the first...
, whom he married on August 13, 1913. They traveled to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, where they got contact to the avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
movement there, met Henri Matisse
Henri Matisse
Henri Matisse was a French artist, known for his use of colour and his fluid and original draughtsmanship. He was a draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor, but is known primarily as a painter...
, Georges Braque
Georges Braque
Georges Braque[p] was a major 20th century French painter and sculptor who, along with Pablo Picasso, developed the art style known as Cubism.-Early Life:...
, Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso known as Pablo Ruiz Picasso was a Spanish expatriate painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and stage designer, one of the greatest and most influential artists of the...
, André Lhote
André Lhote
André Lhote was a French sculptor and painter of figure subjects, portraits, landscapes and still life. He was also very active and influential as a teacher and writer on art....
, André Salmon
André Salmon
André Salmon was a French poet, art critic and writer. He was one of the defenders of cubism, with Guillaume Apollinaire and Maurice Raynal.-Biography:Andre Salmon was born in Paris...
and Jean Cassou
Jean Cassou
Jean Cassou was a French writer, art critic, poet and member of the French Resistance during World War II.- Biography :Jean Cassou was born at Deusto, near Bilbao,...
, between others. Afterwards they moved to San Sebastián
San Sebastián
Donostia-San Sebastián is a city and municipality located in the north of Spain, in the coast of the Bay of Biscay and 20 km away from the French border. The city is the capital of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. The municipality’s population is 186,122 , and its...
, Spain, where they autodidactically trained painting. During the seven-year stay in Europe, their son died, reportedly due to a fury attack of Carmen Mondragón. His death was probably the cause of their separation, although other possible causes are Rodríguez-Lozano's bisexuality or Carmen Mondragón's nymphomaniac tendencies. It is unknown whether or not they ever officially separated. In 1921 both returned to Mexico, where Carmen Mondragón met Gerald Murillo aka Dr Atl, who gave her the name "Nahui Ollin".
Manuel Rodríguez Lozano for his part, moved to Chapultepec
Chapultepec
Chapultepec Park, more commonly called the "Bosque de Chapultepec" in Mexico City, is the largest city park in Latin America, measuring in total just over 686 hectares. Centered on a rock formation called Chapultepec Hill, one of the park's main functions is to be an ecological space in the vast...
, kept on painting, and had an intensive affair with the young artist Abraham Ángel
Abraham Ángel
Abraham Ángel Card Valdés was a Mexican artist known under his first name Abraham Ángel because his Scottish father forbade him to use the surname after he left the family when Abraham Ángel was a child.- Life :...
who had introduced him to new painting styles. Rodríguez Lozano did not belong to these artist, which were promoted by the secretary of education José Vasconcelos
José Vasconcelos
José Vasconcelos Calderón was a Mexican writer, philosopher and politician. He is one of the most influential and controversial personalities in the development of modern Mexico. His philosophy of "indigenismo" affected all aspects of Mexican sociocultural, political, and economic...
. In 1923, Roberto Montenegro
Roberto Montenegro
Roberto Montenegro Nervo was a Mexican painter, illustrator, and stage designer....
arranged contact with Francisco Sergio Iturbe, who became sponsor of Rodríguez Lozano's work, and who inspired him for the works "Los tableros de la muerte", better known as the "Santa Ana muerta" series. Through 1924 he was chief of the art department of primary schools in Mexico City, and reformed Adolfo Best Maugard
Adolfo Best Maugard
Adolfo Best Maugard also known as Fito Best was a Mexican painter, film director and screenwriter.- Life :...
's methods. Together with Abraham Ángel and Julio Castellanos
Julio Castellanos
Julio Castellanos was a Mexican painter and engraver.- Biography :Castellanos matriculated the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1918, where he studied under Saturnino Herrán and Leandro Izaguirre, together with Agustín Lazo, Rufino Tamayo and Leopoldo Méndez...
, he visited several cultural places of Argentina. After the return to Mexico, Ángel committed suicide. Together with some pupils, Rodríguez Lozano returned to Paris, where he exhibited some of his works as well as works of the children. In 1927, back in Mexico, he met Antonieta Rivas Mercado
Antonieta Rivas Mercado
María Antonieta Rivas Mercado Castellanos was a Mexican intellectual, writer, feminist and arts patron.- Biography :...
, who felt seriously in love with him, but he did not reciprocate her love. Together with other notable artists and intellectuals he participated in the Teatro Ulises
Teatro Ulises
The Teatro Ulises was an experimental theater, located in the calle de Mesones 42 of Mexico City, that was established around 1927/1928 by Antonieta Rivas Mercado, daughter of the architect Antonio Rivas Mercado, and further members of the group Los Contemporáneos...
after 1927, where he painted sceneries. Additionally he exhibited together with Julio Castellanos, Rufino Tamayo
Rufino Tamayo
Rufino Tamayo was a Mexican painter of Zapotec heritage, born in Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico. Tamayo was active in the mid-20th century in Mexico and New York, painting figurative abstraction with surrealist influences....
and Agustín Lazo. For a further year, he continued his studies in France in 1931. Between 1932 and 1940, he established and organized the "La paloma azul", a ballet group with famous dancers like Ana Mérida
Ana Mérida
Ana María Mérida Gálvez was a Mexican ballet dancer and choreographer. She also worked for movies.- Biography :...
and Anna Sokolow
Anna Sokolow
Anna Sokolow was a Jewish American dancer and choreographer.-Training:...
. In 1940 he became director of the National School of Arts
National School of Arts (UNAM)
The Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas is a college of art in Xochimilco, Mexico City. The school is part the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and is responsible for teaching art - painting, sculpture and graphic design, with undergraduate and graduate studies in San Carlos...
of the UNAM
National Autonomous University of Mexico
The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México is a university in Mexico. UNAM was founded on 22 September 1910 by Justo Sierra as a liberal alternative to the Roman Catholic-sponsored Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) (National Autonomous...
. At this time he got contact to famous artists, and wrote for several magazines and journals. Rodríguez Lozano made no bones about his homosexuality, his office was upholstered with pictures of his male lovers. In August 1941, several engravings of Albrecht Dürer
Albrecht Dürer
Albrecht Dürer was a German painter, printmaker, engraver, mathematician, and theorist from Nuremberg. His prints established his reputation across Europe when he was still in his twenties, and he has been conventionally regarded as the greatest artist of the Northern Renaissance ever since...
were stolen in the National School, probably organized by university political groups opposite to him. Rodríguez Lozano was found responsible for the theft, and was imprisoned, which caused solidarity of intellectuals and friends. In the Lecumberri prison he painted his mural "La piedad en el desierto", which was transferred to the Museum of the Palacio de Bellas Artes
Palacio de Bellas Artes
The Palacio de Bellas Artes is the most important cultural center in Mexico City as well as the rest of the country of Mexico...
later. In 1945 he painted his mural "El holocausto", and was invited to exhibit his work in the French Musée de l'Orangerie
Musée de l'Orangerie
The Musée de l'Orangerie is an art gallery of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings located on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Though most famous for being the permanent home for eight Water Lilies murals by Claude Monet, the museum also contains works by Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse,...
. He always distanced himself from the official promoted group of Mexican muralists, and held several exhibitions independently in his hometown.
External links
- Manuel Rodríguez Lozano in the Ibero-American Institute's catalogue
- wedding photo from 1913