The Inspiration of
Francisco Zuniga

By Rebekah Powers | January 2025

Zuniga ranks along with Diego Rivera as one of the most influential Latin American artists of the 20th century. Inspired by women in everyday life, often peasants in dress characterized with such sensitivity and sensuality, the figures become monumental.

Francisco Zuniga was born in Costa Rica to a famous religious sculptor, Manuel Maria Zuniga in 1912. Influenced heavily by both his mother and father, young Zuniga developed a fascination for pre Colombian art which is evident later in the timeless quality of his drawings and sculptures of women.

“Portrait Of A Woman” by Francisco Zuniga (1912-1998), Lithograph 77/135, 1983 – 31.5″ x 24″

“The human figure is the most important aspect of the world”, Zuniga often stated.. This deeply felt humanism he shared with both Diego Rivera and eventually our very own R. C. Gorman, who credits Zuniga as one of his main inspirations. Indeed, we can trace similarities of cultural identity and classical simplicity in their drawings as well as the women they chose as subjects, who could be sisters from a different mother.

We have a prime example of Zuniga’s poetic drawing style: “Portrait of a Woman” showing alongside our wide collection of lithographs by R. C. Gorman. Come in and see for yourself how they relate to each other, how they differ and discover the vein of golden inspiration that brings them to life and keeps them relevant today.

On display in our warm adobe showrooms, wafting with the scent of fresh Chimayo Chile, now at Chimayo Trading: Francisco Zuniga 1912-1998.

If you have enjoyed our newsletters and learning about the artists and artwork we represent, or if you’ve had a good experience visiting our gallery, please take a moment to let us know by leaving a review using the links below.

Come to the gallery to see where History Meets Art in Taos..

#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

575.758.0504

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Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.

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