Fernando Montes

Fernando Montes Peñaranda (14 August 1930 – 17 January 2007) was a Bolivian artist, painter and filmmaker based in London. Montes' father was later the leader of the Liberal Party. Upon finishing school Montes returned to La Paz and studied philosophy at the Higher University of San Andrés.

From 1953 onwards Montes painted professionally in Las Paz, where he first exhibited a series of portraits in 1956. In 1959, Montes represented Bolivia at the 5th São Paulo Art Biennial. Initially intending to stay in London for two weeks, Montes reencountered his future spouse Marcela Villegas Sánchez Bustamante. They were married in London in December 1960 . Biennial.

In 2007, the Fernando Montes Art Fund was created in his memory by his widow, Marcela, and his son and daughter, with the help of generous donations from friends. It was established to respond to Montes’ concern about the difficulties that young artists face in Bolivia and his wish for a greater emphasis to be placed on the teaching of drawing in the development of artists. The same year the Fund paid for the refurbishment of the gallery at the Fine Arts Academy (Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes “Hernando Siles”) in La Paz, Bolivia.

In 2008, the artist's widow, son and daughter set up a national prize in drawing, backed by the Fund and bearing Montes' name: (Premio El Valor del Dibujo, Fernando Montes Peñaranda). Held annually, it is open to young Bolivian artists (age 35 and under). The competition has become a major event in the country's cultural life .

In 2019, the Museo Fernando Montes was opened in La Paz by the .

Personal life In 1960, Montes married Marcela Villegas Sánchez Bustamante, a Bolivian private secretary to the Colombian ambassador in London. Montes and Villegas had two children.

On 17 January 2007 Montes died from cancer in London aged 76.

Publications Montes, Fernando (1999). PINTORES BOLIVIANOS CONTEMPORANEOS Fernando Montes: Obra 1967 - 1999. La Paz: Santillana de Ediciones S.A. ISBN 99905-2-090-9