José María Velasco
(1840-1912)

In the time Velasco was enrolled at the San Carlos, the students generally focused themes distinct to Mexico. Painters usually depicted religious, mythological or historical subjects. Velasco preferred to paint from nature and his surroundings. Velasco showed a sensitivity and skill that allowed him to represent his country in a different way than his contemporaries. Velasco was greatly inspired by his Italian instructor, Landesio. As time passed, Velasco was able to incorporate his own vision of Mexico into the lessons he had learned from Landesio.

In 1868 Velasco became a professor of perspective painting and married the lovely señorita Luz Sanchez Armas Galindo. In the following years, Velasco established himself as a master painter. In 1889 Velasco was commissioned by the Governor of Mexico to exhibit in the Universal Exposition of Paris. Velasco was awarded for his work in Paris and exhibited in the 1893 World Fair in Chicago.

After suffering a hear attack, Velasco painted almost exclusively in his house in the Village of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Velasco continued to paint until the end of his life. Velasco’s paintings are known in Mexico and internationally. Do you think you own a Velasco painting? Contact us. We are the Velasco experts.