Jose Luis Cuevas

Mexican, 1934 – 2017. José Luis Cuevas was among the first artist who challenged the muralism movement in Mexico. Cuevas was a prominent part of the post-World War II movement called the Generación de la Ruptura, also known as Breakaway Generation. Cuevas, along with fellow artists, opposed the diluted and mainstream nature of Mexican art. They also opposed muralists from Mexico like David Alfaro Sisquieros, José Clement Orozco, and Diego Rivera, who they believed restricted the artistic progress.

The artist was born in Mexico on February 26, 1934, and developed an early interest in arts. The artist started studying at the National School of Painting and Sculpture "La Esmeralda" when he was ten. During this time, he also made illustrations for books and newspapers. Unfortunately, Cuevas had to leave his studies when he was diagnosed with rheumatic fever in 1946. Due to his illness, Cuevas was on bed rest for nearly two years. He started learning engraving techniques taught by Mexican printmaker and painter Lola Cueto. José Luis Cuevas was more of a self-taught artist who developed his own unique style of sculpting and painting. José Luis Cuevas’s artworks mainly depicted disproportioned or disfigured portraits and figurines. José Luis Cuevas’s paintings and sculptures featured influences from the dark nature of life, which made him a controversial personality throughout his artistic career. He received criticism for opposing artists and writers who, according to Cuevas, created art for money. The artist participated at the Venice Biennale in 1982 to represent Mexico.

Cuevas died in Mexico City on July 3, 2017. Today, José Luis Cuevas’s artworks are on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Art Institute of Chicago. José Luis Cuevas’s paintings for sale are often available at many auctions. Collectors can also find José Luis Cuevas’s artwork at online auction on leading online platforms.