Born in Mexico City in 1921, Pedro Linares Lopez was a child prodigy. His family was a family of artists and he soon started creating masks and small toys. Eventually, he was known as a cartonero, or a maker of paper-mache fantasy figures. He is perhaps best known for the colorful and lifelike alebrijes he created, which were sold around the world.
He made Judas figures, which were traditionally made of carton during the Catholic Easter season in Mexico. Later, he also produced figurines for Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. In 1936, he developed his iconic style of paper-mache creations, known as Alebrijes. The Alebrijes, which translate to “freaks” in Spanish, represent death and rebirth in a mountain setting. The animals, which were a source of inspiration for him, were actually the ones who saved him in the past.
surviving works
His first surviving works are Judas figures, which he began creating when he was just 12 years old. These paper sculptures are traditionally made of carton during the Catholic Easter season in Mexico. He also made figurines for Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Then, in 1936, he created his most famous works, known as Alebrijes. These pieces, which are based on feverish hallucinations, depict rebirth in a mountain setting. The Alebrijes were the animals that saved Pedro in the past, and they have become the enduring icons of his art.
The work of Pedro Linares began in his childhood. He first worked as a carton Judas figure maker. Later, he also worked as a cartoonist, creating figurines for Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. His art eventually spread beyond his family, and he eventually developed a unique style called alebrijes. He started by selling these sculptures to his family members, and later passed the metier on to his sons and grandsons.
he made Judas figures
In the early 1930s, he made Judas figures, which are traditionally made of cardboard during the Catholic Easter season in Mexico. He also worked with other famous artists, including Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. In 1936, at the age of thirty, he created his first Alebrije, which is a papier-mache animal in a mountain setting. The name of this figure is the same as the name of a statue by the same name.
The fame of the Alebrijes was such that even the Mexican president was enamored with his work. The artist became one of the most popular painters in the country, and the art he created was recognized throughout the world. However, his illness prevented him from achieving his dream, and his work was based on his own dreams. In his later years, he continued to create more pieces of his Alebrijes, which are now considered among the finest examples of this ancient art.
Despite the countless accolades given to his work, Pedro Linares was not always as well known. The National Prize for Popular Arts and Sciences was awarded to him in 1992. His work is now widely collected and his artwork is popular all over the world. At the age of thirty, he had a feverish dream. But he was still too young to know how to draw the eagle in detail.
appreciated and praised
His work is widely appreciated and praised by many, including the artist himself. His calavera scenes are inspired by Jose Guadalupe Posada’s prints, and are prized throughout Mexico. These are considered the best examples of Mexican art and are highly sought-after both in Mexico and abroad. At 86, Pedro Linares was the youngest person to win the National Arts and Science Award. In 1990, he received the highest decoration an artisan could receive in the country.
In 1975, a documentary starring Pedro Linares’ life brought him worldwide recognition. Its release led to an award for him as the first Mexican National Prize in Arts and Sciences, and the film also earned him a title as the “father of alebrijes”. Judith Bronowski’s 1976 film about Pedro Linares’ early life gave the artist the accolades he deserved.
His work has a fascinating story. In the 1960s, he began making Judas figures, which are typically made of cardboard during the Easter season. He also created many figurines for Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. In 1936, he created his first Alebrijes, a series of wooden animals that represent the rebirth of the soul. A film by Judith Bronowski about Pedro Linares was the first to make him internationally famous.
