Pedro Coronel Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Pedro Coronel, born in Zacatecas, Mexico, in 1923, was a prominent figure in Abstract Expressionism and Modern Mexican art. He studied at La Esmeralda in Mexico City under renowned artists such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Coronel's artistic journey took him across Europe and Asia, where various cultural influences shaped his visual language. Known for his vibrant colours and abstract forms, Coronel's work explores the human condition and cultural heritage, making him a significant figure in 20th century art.

Before transitioning to painting, Coronel began his career primarily as a sculptor. His works from the late 1940s to the 1980s often reflected a blend of naturalistic, structuralist, and lyrical themes, evolving towards more chromatic and abstract expressions.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Coronel emerged as a significant figure in the art world, creating spiritually and emotionally impactful works. His abstract compositions, featuring bold colours and robust forms, celebrated life while exploring existential themes.

One of Coronel's significant contributions to art was his printmaking. His 1978 screenprint titled Dualidad is a demonstrates his signature use of vibrant colours to portray themes of death and mortality. This work features bold skulls, juxtaposed against a striking pink background, honouring the duality of life and death. The print demonstrates Coronel's ability to communicate Mexico's celebratory culture surrounding death through simplified forms and intense hues.

Coronel's collaborations with prominent artists like Rufino Tamayo and Carlos Mérida fostered a period of creative affinity in Mexican art. His achievements were recognised through numerous exhibitions globally, solidifying his stature as a leading artist. The Pedro Coronel Museum in his hometown Zacatecas houses his works, preserving his legacy as an artist with a profound understanding of the human condition and diverse cultural heritage.

Coronel is celebrated for merging European influences with Mexican heritage, creating a distinctive style characterised by vibrant colours and abstract forms. Educated in Paris and influenced by Cubism and Surrealism, his work transcends cultural boundaries while remaining distinctly rooted in Mexican identity. A member of the Generacion de la Ruptura, Coronel broke away from the Mexican School of Painting post World War II, forging a new link between past and present in Mexican art.
Coronel’s use of colour was revolutionary, pushing the parameters of traditional Mexican art. Influenced by artists like Rufino Tamayo, Coronel utilised vivid hues to convey deep emotional states. His later works are characterised by bold colours such as red and yellow, symbolising melancholy, passion, and loneliness. This approach to colour created a harmony of background and form and reflected the vibrant colours synonymous with Mexican visual culture. His dynamic use of colour remains a hallmark of his abstract compositions, demonstrating his innovation and cultural heritage.
Coronel amassed a vast personal art collection throughout his life, featuring over 1,800 artworks from various cultures and eras, including pre-Hispanic, African, Asian, Greco-Roman, and Medieval art. This collection also includes works by renowned artists such as Francisco Goya, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Marc Chagall. The public response to his collection, displayed shortly before his death, inspired him to donate it to the Mexican people. Since 1986, it has been part of the permanent collection of the Pedro Coronel Museum in his hometown, Zacatecas.