Jesus Helguera (1910 - 1971)

Jesus Enrique Emilio de la Helguera Espinoza was born in Chihuahua, Mexico on May 28th 1910. He spent his childhood in Mexico City, Cordoba Veracruz, and at age seven, his family moved to Spain (Ciudad Real) where he grew up. His curiosity towards art started in primary school, where he became so good the principal made him responsible of teaching others to paint. He formally studied painting at the Escuela de Artes y Oficios in Madrid. Later, he also studied with famous artists like Jose Moreno Carbonero and Julio Romero de Torres in the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. He married Julia Gonzalez Llanos with whom he had two children, Fernando and Maria Luisa. He relocated back to Mexico with his family during the Spanish Civil War.



Back in Mexico City he worked in the workshop of Francisco Sayrols as illustrator. In 1940 painted the work that became his most known and valued masterpiece "La Leyenda de los Volcanes" in which he presented the pre-colombian mythology. This painting has been reproduced numerous times from this date. Helguera died in Mexico City on December 4, 1971. Although he was never recognized during his lifetime, Helguera has obtained the most enduring tribute as he has transcended by becoming a staple of Mexican roots with his fantastic and symbolic images.