Francisco Arturo Marin (1907-1979) - "The Meal Grinder" Bronze Statue on Marble Base

Francisco Arturo Marin (1907-1979) was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, who first studied medicine before he started learning the art of woodcutting, modeling and carving in 1921. In about 11 years later, he would study sculpture and start producing quality pieces. Marin exhibited widely in Mexico and internationally and won many awards from reputable institutions, such as the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes and the Salon de la Plastica Mexicana.

Francisco Marin Aceves (inheritance),

Collection of Lance and Erika, San Antonio, Texas.

1953 - Salón de la Plástica Mexicana, Mexico City, Mexico, "Francisco Marín, Escultura."

April-June 2005 - Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo, "Piedra y Metal Que Siten, Francisco Arturo Marín."

April-June 2005 - Centro Cultural Cabañas, Guadalajara, Jalisco, "Piedra y Metal Que Siten, Francisco Arturo Marín."

August-November 2006 - Instituto Politecnico Nacional, "Piedra y Metal Que Siten, Francisco Arturo Marín."

April 2007-January 2008 - Mexic-Arte Museum, Austin, Texas, "From Revolution to Renaissance, Mexican Art from the Aaron Collection."

November 2010-August 2012 - Museo Alameda Smithsonian, San Antonio, Texas, "Revolution & Renaissance, Mexico & San Antonio, 1910-2010."

1953 - Diego Rivera, Margarita Nelken, Antonio Rodriguez, "Francisco Marín, Escultura," Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico, illus. b&w p. 19 cat. no. 4 and p.21 cat. no. 7.

2005 - Various "Piedra y Metal Que Siente, Francisco Arturo Marín," Published by Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo, Mexico City, Mexico and Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, illus. in color p. 33, listed p. 63.

2005 - Various "Diego Rivera, Palabras Ilustres 1921-1957," Published by Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo, Mexico City, Mexico and Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, illus. in color p. 141, cat. no. 88, listed p. 409.

Following the Mexican Revolution, artists looked to capture the beauty and identity of a nation in reconstruction. Dr. Francisco Arturo Marin, perhaps more than any other artist, captured and reintroduced Mexico’s Pre-Columbian past in a contemporary and evocative form. Dr. Marin’s sister Guadalupe in the 1920’s was married to Diego Rivera which placed Marin in the center of an exciting group at the vanguard of modern art such as Tina Modotti, Edward Weston, Carlos Orozco Romero, Jose Celemente Orozco and others. Dr. Agustin Arteaga, Director of Puerto Rico’s Museo Ponce and a specialist in Mexican 20th century sculpture, did his thesis on Dr. Francisco Arturo Marin. Dr. Arteaga recognizes Marin as perhaps Mexico’s most significant modern era sculptor between the period of 1910 and 1960.

Less than 75 pieces of Marin’s sculpture are known to exist. Dr. Marin did not create or cast many pieces as his services as a gynecologist delivering babies was in high demand. Pieces Marin did produce were often gifts to friends and family. The Aaron family’s collection is one of the most significant by this artist and was the catalyst for the “Piedra y Metal Que Siente, Francisco Arturo Marín” exhibition and catalogue raisonné in 2005. The Museo Blaisten Foundation also possesses an important collection of this artist’s work. Several examples of the artist’s work are also found in Mexico’s National Museum in Mexico City, Mexico.