Fernando Leal Art

Fernando Leal (1896 - 1964) was born in Mexico City. He was among the first painters who participated in the Mexican muralism movement. Upon seeing one of his paintings, José Vasconcelos, the secretary of education invited him to paint at the National Preparatory School (Escuela Nacional Preparatoria). The work that resulted is “Dancers of Chalma” (Los danzantes de Chalma). He also painted a mural at the Anfiteatro Bolivar dedicated to Simón Bolívar, as well as religious murals at the Basilica Villa in Tepeyac such as those at the chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe. Leal first studied art at the Academy of San Carlos then went to the Coyoacan Outdoor School where he studied under Alfredo Ramos Martinez. He studied with Fernández Ledesma Gabriel, Ramón Alva de la Canal, Rafael Vera de Córdoba, and Revueltas Fermín. Leal taught painting at the Academy of San Carlos, and was appointed director of the Popular Painting Center in Nonoalco in 1927. The mission of the center was to make art accessible to the working classes. At the age of 56, he was appointed Ministry of Culture. He took it upon himself to campaign for the rights of artists in 1959. Leal also served director of the Coyoacan Outdoor School. His art was and is still popular to date. That’s why framed Fernando Leal art are found in almost all corners of the world. The artist is best remembered for his mural work, though he also did lithography, painting on canvas and engraving.