Umělec
Born in Guadalajara, Mexiko
Juan Soriano (1920–2006)
Juan Soriano (b. 18 August 1920; d. February 2006), Mexican painter and sculptor, was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He studied with Roberto Montenegro ...
Early Life & Artistic Beginnings: Juan Soriano’s childhood was marked by an eccentric family—his father, Rafael Rodríguez Soriano, fought in the Mexican Revolution, later becoming a minor politician and, eventually, a spiritist. His mother, Amalia Montoya Navarro, who had followed her husband into battle as a “soldadera,” or female soldier, kept the house that included Juan’s thirteen aunts and four sisters. From a young age he demonstrated exceptional talent, entering the circle of the renowned artist Jesús Reyes Ferreira (“Chucho” Reyes), who introduced Soriano to pre-Columbian and colonial Mexican art as well as art from outside his country.
Formal Training & Influences: At fourteen Soriano participated in his first group exhibition while studying under Francisco Rodríguez “Caracalla” at the Evolución Studio in Guadalajara, alongside Raúl Anguiano and Jesús Guerrero Galván. He was deeply influenced by artists like Alfonso Michel Martínez and Pablo Picasso, absorbing stylistic elements from Expressionism and Neo Baroque painting.
Mexico City & Literary Circles: In 1935 Soriano moved to Mexico City, motivated by his talent and the incentive of the company of his sister Martha.
