Emilio Ortiz

(Mexico City, 1936 – 1988)

Author's artworks

20th Century Mexican

A music lover, accomplished engraver, and expert in
well conversant in mathematical quandaries, Emilio Ortiz worked in oils with the finesse of ancient engravers. In answer to a question from the art critic Raquel Tibol, he said that “the little artistic training I had was focused on graphic arts and carried out mostly at the studio of Silva Santamaría. I believe that I learnt the most important things by myself, simply drawing.” In that studio located in La Ciudadela he was accompanied by Francisco Toledo (1940-2019). He would later perfect his printing technique in long sojourns in Paris, London and the USA thanks to grants and scholarships.

Ortiz belonged to a generation of artists that also included Francisco Toledo (1940-2019), Roger von Gunten (1933), Arnold Belkin (1930-1992) and Alberto Gironella (1929-1999), promoted by independent galleries interested in the
. With a tendency towards self-absorption and reclusiveness, Emilio Ortiz never pursued commercial success, despite which he garnered widespread recognition in galleries and museums in Mexico and abroad. He committed suicide in 1988.