Hermenegildo Bustos

José Hermenegildo de la Luz Bustos Hernández (13 April 1832, Purísima del Rincón – 28 June 1907, Purísima del Rincón) was a Mexican painter; known mostly for portraits, although he also created religious paintings and still-lifes.

Biography He was born to a fervent Catholic family, descended from Indians who had been attached to the mission. Despite growing up in a small village, his youth was subject to the turmoils of the time, including a cholera epidemic, "La Desamortización" and the establishment of the Mexican nation.

Following in his father's footsteps, he served as a sort of registrar for the village; recording names, dates and events. At various times, he worked as a tinsmith, tailor, carpenter, musician and mason; also displaying an affinity for history and astronomy. He also maintained an orchard for most of his life.

His only formal artistic studies were six months spent with Juan Nepomuceno Herrera (1818–1878), a portrait painter from nearby León, who apparently taught him little and treated him like a servant. His first known painting dates from 1850, when he was eighteen; a portrait of Vicente Arriaga, a local priest.

His own self-portrait was not painted until 1901. He designed and made his own coat for the occasion, which displays the words, Hermenegildo Bustos, indio de este pueblo de Purísima del Rincón, nací el 13 de abril de 1832. His paintings were often inscribed on the reverse with Hermenegildo Bustos de aficionado pintó (amateur painter). Some sculptures in the village are attributed to him; including an Ecce Homo and a Virgen de los Dolores. In 1956, a portion of the municipality was renamed "Purísima de Bustos", in his honor. The famous Mexican writer Octavio Paz wrote about Hermenegildo Bustos in 1985.

Art