Alfredo Ramos Martinez

Alfredo Ramos Martínez ( 1871-1959)

Alfredo Ramos Martínez is one of the most important Mexican muralalist and painter of the Modern period. He was born in Mexico on November 12, 1871 and began making art at age 8 and from an early age Ramos Martínez was recognized as prodigious talent. As a student in Mexico, he met the famous philanthropist Phoebe Hearst, who became his financial benefactor -- allowing the artist to continue his studies in Paris.

After many years working along side the European Modernists, Martinez returned to Mexico just before the Revolution of 1910. Martinez established his Open Air Schools of Painting with an initial class of 10 students, including David Alfaro Siqueiros and Federico Cantú. 

Martinez and his family eventually moved to Los Angeles where he exhibited widely thoughout Calfiornia. in 1934, He created the mural in Santa Barbara as well as private commissions in homes. Martinez painted Claremont's Scripps mural which was commissioned by the College, with the support of California watercolorist Millard Sheets. Alfredo Ramos Martínez Created works in  San Francisco and was commissioned by various Bay area collectors.

in Santa Barbara there is an accomplished mural by MArtinez that most people do not know about. COmpleted in 1934 and entitled, "La Capilla del Cementerio de Santa Bárbara" the mural Is in a tiny chapel in the Santa Barbara cemetary.  

Martinez is known as the father of Mexican Modernism and his work is striking in its timelesness and beauty.