Mario Reyes

Mario Reyes Castillo (1926–2017) was a Mexican printmaker, painter and sculptor best known for his work with the Taller Libre de Grabado Mario Reyes, which he founded in 1965. This workshop has collaborated with and done work for a number of notable Mexican artists. Much of his artwork was dominated with depictions of the female form, with the artist stating he could see it in many places and objects. His work has been recognized with tributes and retrospectives in places such as the Museo Nacional de Estampa and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. He was also a member of the Salón de la Plástica Mexicana.

Life Mario Reyes Castillo was born in Mexico City in 1926. When he stated that he wanted to study art, his parents warned that he would “die of hunger.” Despite this, he went on to study at the Escuela Nacional de Pintura, Escultura y Grabado "La Esmeralda" under teachers such as Carlos Alvarado Lang, Isidoro Ocampo, Germán Cueto, Fernando Castro Pacheco and Carlos Orozco Romero. In a later interview he stated that he did experience hunger before he was successful. He died there in 2017.

Career Reyes’ career spanned over five decades, and he was best known for his printmaking.

Artistry Reyes was a printmaker, sculptor and painter. The human form dominated his engraving and sculpture, especially the depiction of the female form in a sensual way similar to depictions by Modigliani, Matisse, Gauguin and Renoir and sometimes in surrealist style. He stated that he saw the female form in many places and things, even in trees. Despite this preference his works also included meticulously drawn landscapes.

His printmaking favored copper plates worked in acid, mezzotint and dry point. These varied from a photographic quality, from his experience as a photographer to those which were very solid, like his sculpture. He produced prints on glass, an innovation which allowed him to work with relief. His painting was characterized by careful manipulation of techniques such as watercolor, gouache and oils.