Ricardo Martínez 1918–2009
Ricardo Martínez was a distinguished Mexican painter known for his evocative figurative works that blended surrealism with pre-Hispanic influences. Born in Mexico City as one of sixteen children, Martínez began drawing at an early age, influenced by his older brother Oliverio, a sculptor involved in the construction of the Monumento a la Revolución. Oliverio taught Martínez the fundamentals of painting, but aside from this informal tutelage and a single course at the Galería de Arte Mexicano, Martínez was self-taught. He completed his first canvas in 1939, and made a studio in his family’s home the following year.
Martínez's early works evidence the influence of Mexican muralism, and he would go on to incorporate surrealist and non-narrative figurative elements; this aligned him with the Generación de la Ruptura, though he never openly criticized the Mexican School of Painting. Martínez continued to explore his own interests and evolve his style, which gave way to works that depicted surreal atmospheres rendered through studies of light and intense concentration of color.
Later paintings often featured oversized, sensual nudes that referenced pre-Hispanic art, reflecting Martínez’s ongoing engagement with Mexico's indigenous heritage. He exhibited extensively in Mexico and internationally, with notable shows at the Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City in 1969 and the São Paulo Art Biennial, where he received the Moinho Santista Prize in 1971.
Martínez also contributed to Mexican culture beyond painting, illustrating works by authors such as Juan Rulfo and Alfonso Reyes, and designing sets for Carlos Chávez's dance piece Xochipili Macuilxochitl in 1948. He was a dedicated teacher, mentoring artists like Lucinda Urrusti and Gerardo López Bonilla. In recognition of his contributions, Martínez received the Medalla de la Ciudad de México in 2008, and a retrospective of his work was held at the Museo de la Ciudad de México in 2012. That same year the Ricardo Martínez Cultural Center was established in Mexico City's historic center to honor his legacy.
