FRANCISCO GOITIA: BIOGRAPHY AND WORKS - BIOGRAPHIES - 2024

Francisco Goitia (1882-1960) was a Mexican artist cataloged as sui generis -of his own genre-, since his pictorial style was not linked to any prevailing artistic current of the 20th century. In fact, Goitia was trained in the Mexican School of Painting like Diego Rivera and José Orozco, however, he did not get involved in the famous muralist movement of 1922.

Goitia was the creator of some of the most emblematic paintings in Mexico, such as Tata Jesus Christ (1927) and Los hanged (1914). Both works have in common the sordidness of their images, since both show scenes related to human suffering; in the first, the heartbreaking sadness of the marginalized is portrayed, while the second records the homicide through the drawing of hanging corpses.

Self-portrait of Francisco Goitia. Image taken from culturacolectiva.com

According to the text Plastic Arts: Francisco Goitia (nd) by Justino Fernández, it can be established that the pictorial production of this artist was quite scarce compared to that of other Latin American artists. However, Fernández argues that Goitia not only sought to paint a picture, but also to express an idea that touched the deepest fibers of the viewer.

For this reason this author also stated that, although the number of paintings made by Gotia was reduced, his creations were charged with spontaneity and dramatic force. Furthermore, all of his paintings are characterized by inviting viewers to reflect and question their surroundings; This is achieved from a cultural approach nurtured by Mexican customs.

Biography

Early years and training stage

Francisco Goitia García was born in the state of Zacatecas on October 4, 1882. His parents were Francisco Bollaín y Goitia and Andrea Altamira, who died after giving birth to Francisco. Consequently, the painter was raised by Eduarda Velázquez, who was the woman in charge of breastfeeding him.

On many occasions, Goitia affirmed that his childhood was calm and pleasant, since his childhood developed among the flora and fauna of the Hacienda de Bañón. Therefore, it can be established that Goitia grew up in direct contact with nature, which would later influence her inclination to portray Mexican landscapes.

He completed his primary education in Fresnillo. After this, his father decided to take him to the Hacienda de Ábrego with the aim of the young man doing desk work. Although Goitia did not like this work very much, she had the opportunity to read several important books.

For example, during this period he learned about the Franco-Prussian war, which made him interested in military work. He also met some great classics of universal literature such as Les Miserables (Víctor Hugo), The Three Musketeers (Alejandro Dumas) and Don Quixote de la Mancha (Miguel de Cervantes); all this influenced his artistic development.

However, his father had other interests for him, specifically sending him to Mexico City to train in a military career. However, Dr. Carranza, a friend of his father, advised him not to send the young man to the military academy, since Goitia had intellectual skills that could excel in the discipline of the plastic arts.

Consequently, the young artist went to the capital with the aim of studying at the Academia de San Carlos. In this institution he received classes from notable Mexican artists such as Julio Ruelas Suárez, José María Velasco Gómez-Obregón and Germán Gedovius.

Trip to the old continent

In 1904, Francisco Goitia with the help of his father managed to undertake a trip to Spain, specifically to Barcelona. In this city he attended several workshops and got to know all the museums. In turn, during this period he received classes from the artist Francisco Galí and made several drawings using charcoal.

Some of his works date from this period, such as Patio de la Universidad de Barcelona. Soon his pictorial interests led him to receive a scholarship from the ministry, which allowed him to study in Rome (Italy). During his stay in Italy, he learned about Renaissance painting and Greco-Roman architecture.

Goitia studied academically for four years in Europe. Then she had to return to her native country, since the military Porfirio Díaz - at that time president of Mexico - had been eradicated from power. This political conflict resulted in the painter losing his scholarship.

Francisco Goitia is considered one of the most influential Mexican painters. The Francisco Goitia museum, which is shown in the image, was erected in his honor. Source: Noé González-Gallegos (Public domain)

Back to the homeland

Upon returning to Mexico, Goitia decided to reside for a time in Zacatecas. Some of its most famous landscapes date from this period, such as Landscape of Santa Mónica. Between 1918 and 1925 she decided to work with Manuel Gamio, a renowned anthropologist. In the company of Gamio, Goitia made drawings of archaeological elements, which inspired him to paint indigenous people realistically.

His most important work, Tata Jesus Christ, dates from this period. This painting allowed him to obtain the First Prize at the Inter-American Biennial of Painting and Engraving. Later, he dedicated himself to teaching art classes at the Ministry of Public Education.

Participation in the war

Goitia decided to accompany General Felipe Ángeles in his military exploits. However, the painter did not participate as a soldier, but was in charge of recording the war events through his painting.

Consequently, the artist had to witness different battles. His works from these years are a reflection of the fascination and horror of war. Another of his most important paintings dates from this time: The Hanged.

To make this painting, Goitia decided to hang a group of corpses from the trees himself in order to record the decomposition of the bodies in his paintings. These bodies were accompanied by Mexican landscapes, which offered a striking contrast between the beautiful and the grotesque.

Cultural distancing and recent years

In 1920 he met Ignacio Rosete; a family man who later sold the painter a piece of land. This land was used by Goitia to build a hut, where he dedicated himself to continuing to portray the desolate Mexican landscapes.

For the rest of his life, Goitia decided not to belong to both the intellectual and cultural life of Mexico. She passed away on March 26, 1960 at the age of 77 due to pneumonia.

The gardens of the Francisco Goitia museum are inspired by the landscapes portrayed by the painter. Source: AlejandroLinaresGarcia (public domain)

Plays

Some of the most important works of Francisco Goitia are:

The old man in the dunghill

This work by Goitia stands out for the simplicity of its lines and the subtle palette of colors. In the painting you can see a range of blue tones, as well as several browns and some green shades.

The scene portrayed by the author is an everyday image. The protagonist is an old man dressed in humble clothes, who rests quietly on a hillside. However, the man's brow is furrowed, either from sadness or from the incidence of sunlight.

In the background and on the right side, you can see what could be a bird taking flight. On the other hand, on the left side there is a series of elements that seem to make up the old man's home. However, these elements could not be defined as a house, since it is a pile of rubble.

This suggests to the viewer that he is a poor man who does not have many resources. In fact, a particular characteristic of the elderly is that they walk barefoot. Some authors affirm that Goitia liked to portray marginalized and ignored characters within the Mexican context.

Tata Jesus Christ

It was made by the painter when he was forty-five years old and is considered by most critics as the best work of the artist. It consists of an image that reflects the most pathetic and profound of the Mexican spirit, where the ancient indigenous tradition meets secular Christian belief.

Consequently, it is a synthesis of different religious and spiritual worlds that are identified with human tragedy. In the painting you can see two human figures next to a lighted candle and two yellow flowers; All these elements assure the viewer that the main theme is death, although this is not tacitly portrayed in the painting.

Some critics claim that the painting shares some elements with Baroque art, since it contains a remarkable contrast of light and shadow, as well as movement and richness of color. However, it cannot be classified as a baroque painting, since it contains a particular essence different from all other paintings of this genre.

On the right side of the pictorial composition stands a figure that shows a face full of pain, while on the left side a young woman is shown hiding her face with her hands.

The hanged

For many art critics, this is one of the most interesting works of Francisco Goitia. Several elements can be seen in the portrayed scene: in the foreground, the skulls of some animals, probably belonging to cattle, are observed. Then a couple of totally dry trees are erected (no dull leaves and branches).

Two corpses hang from the branches of these trees. One of these is completely naked and sways to the right, while the other is wearing a ragged shirt and sways to the left. Two birds of prey hover above these bodies. In the background there is more desert landscape and a blue, cloudless sky.

References

1. Fernández, J. (sf) Plastic arts: Francisco Goitia. Retrieved on November 21, 2019 from Revista de la Universidad de México.
2. Goldman, S. (1995) Contemporary Mexican painting in a time of change. Retrieved on November 21, 2019 from openhibart.fr
3. Macedo, L. (sf) The landscape in Mexican painting. Retrieved on November 21, 2019 from Argentine Library: library.org.ar
4. Mello, R. (sf) The painting machine. Retrieved on November 21, 2019 from Estética UNAM.
5. Rodríguez, A. (1969) A history of Mexican mural painting. Retrieved on November 21, 2019 from bcin.ca
6. SA (2010) Francisco Goitia, representative creator of Mexican art. Retrieved on November 21, 2019 from informador.mx
7. SA (sf) Francisco Goitia. Retrieved on November 21, 2019 from es.wikipedia.org