Permission to use image granted by Luz María Albarrán y Favela.
The Sculptor Luis Albarrán y Pliego (1893-1967) was born in Toluca,
Mexico. Luis was such a talented artist, he not only sculpted in plastiline, but
also casted his own pieces in metal, using the 'lost wax' method, and then
applied custom-made patinas. Later in his career Luis would produce very
detailed small watercolors representing scenes of the "Fiesta Charra"
(performances of Mexican horsepersons of special custome and cultural status.),
as well as bulls and roosters to adorn the covers of magazines specialized in
these subjects.
In 1929 Albarrán went to
Sevilla, Spain to attend the International Fair, where he presented the works
"La Ultima Querencia", and "Barbas de Oro", with themes sorrounding the Spanish
art of bullfighting, and was awarded a first place gold medal.
During his
stay in Europe, the artist worked in the same studio where the works for the
Spanish sculptor Mariano Benlliure were casted, where he mastered the classic
bronze casting methods.
In 1939 he started attending the Fine Arts
Academy of San Carlos in Mexico City. The artist's works were influenced by
Mariano Benlliure. Luis' sculptures are very realistic and detailed, most of his
works are in bronze, however, he also produced sculptures in silver and
gold.
In Mexico, the artist was a member of the School of Sculpture and
Direct Carving, where since 1927 collaborated with sculptor Guillermo Ruíz, as
director of casting. Luis was also a member of The Sculptor's
Circle.
Albarrán was awarded in 1926 first prize in the contest to create
the Monument to the Mexican Charro to be located in Mexico City, however the
project was not completed due to internal problems among the members of the
organizing committee. In 1929 the artist won the first prize and the gold medal
in the International Exhibit of Sevilla, Spain. During the 1930's some of his
bronze sculptures were awarded to prize winning bullfighters.
Luis'
sculptures were displayed in many exhibits such as the Yearly Exhibit for the
Sculptors Circle, a Retrospective Exhibit at the Excelsior Gallery, Collective
Exibit for Luis Albarrán, Fermín Revueltas, and Roberto de la Selva at the
Mexican Art Hall (Sala de Arte Mexicano), and the Exhibition of Goldsmith Works
in Mexico.
His works are included in public collections, for example, the
monumental fountain "El Chapulín", at the National Museum of History
(Chapultepec Castle)and eight monumental busts of distinguished Mexicans at the
Library of the Congress. Other works can be found at the Metropolitan Cathedral
and the "Basilica de Guadalupe" in Mexico City. He created the "Monument to the
Flag", "Monument to the Generals Millán and Villada", for the city of Toluca in
Mexico State, the monumental statue to the Mexican Ex- President Francisco I.
Madero for the city of Puebla, just to mention a few.
