Desiderio Hernández Xochitiotzin

Desiderio Hernández Xochitiotzin (born San Bernardino Contla, February 11, 1922 – died Tlaxcala, September 14, 2007) was a Mexican artist best known for his large-scale mural work inside the State Government Palace in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico, the last large scale mural of the Mexican muralism movement.

Life Desiderio Hernández Xochitiotzin was born in Santa María Tlacatecpac de San Bernardino Contla, Tlaxcala in 1922. His artistic training began in his family's handcraft shop and then at the Academia de Bellas Artes de Puebla. After traveling in various parts of Mexico and Europe to live and work, he returned permanently in Tlaxcala in 1957. The rest of his career was dedicated to painting the history and culture of his home state.

He died of respiratory failure on September 14, 2007. Before his death, he planned along with his daughter Citlalli to form a foundation named after him, with the aim of preserving his work and authenticate his artistic production. His daughter currently heads the organization whose activities include social and cultural events and research about the painter. The foundation sponsored an exhibit of his work in the United States in 2011.

The mural at the State Government Palace in Tlaxcala Section of State Palace mural depicting the emperor Camaxtli.

Hernández Xochitiotzin's most important work was the creation of the mural La historia de Tlaxcala y su contribución a lo mexicano (The history of Tlaxcala and its contribution to Mexican identity) inside the State Government Palace of Tlaxcala. The first section, La Conquista, was painted between 1967 and 1968, with work continuing in stages over four decades. However, the mural work has been damaged due to the effects of humidity and time, with several sections visibly affected. These include El señor de los tlaxcaltecas, Ritual en honor al Dios Camaxtli, Sacrificio gladiatorio, del general Tlahuicole en Tenochtitlan and Deidad Tlaxcalteca, with the most severe damage at the main entrance to the building. Harvard and the University of Oklahoma named him as the best Mexican muralist of the 20th century. He was given an honorary degree in architecture by Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla.

Artistry He was part of the second generation of Mexican muralism movement and the last to use the fresco technique extensively. Influences include José Guadalupe Posada, Agustín Arrieta, Francisco Goitia as well as Mexican muralists José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros and especially Diego Rivera. Recurrent themes in his work include history, landscapes, festivals, local customs, religion and rural life. His most important work has themes related to the state of Tlaxcala and its history. His work tends to contain strong colors and realistic figures.