Gerardo Murillo

Art Brokerage: Gerardo Murillo Mexican Artist: b. 1875-1964. Gerardo Murillo was a Mexican painter and writer who signed his works "Dr. Atl". He was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, where he began the study of painting at an early age, under Felipe Castro. At the age of 21, Murillo entered the Academy of San Carlos in Mexico City to further his studies.nnAfter showing his abilities, Murillo was granted a pension in 1897 by President Porfirio Díaz to study painting in Europe. There he broadened his scope of learning, with study of philosophy and law at the University of Rome, and many trips to Paris to listen to lectures about art given by Henri Bergson. His strong interest in politics led him to collaborate with the Socialist Party in Italy and work in the Avanti newspaper. In 1902 he was baptized "Dr. Atl" (the Nahuatl word for "water") by Leopoldo Lugones. Dr. Atl became very active in Mexico when he returned. In 1906 he participated with Diego Rivera, Francisco de la Torre, Rafael Ponce de Leon and others in an exhibition sponsored by Alonso Cravioto and Luis Castillo Ledon, the editors of the magazine Savia Moderna. In 1911, Dr. Atl returned to Europe. In Paris, he founded a journal and wrote about the social and political issues of Mexico, and criticized Victoriano Huerta. Dr. Atl supported constitutionalists, leaning towards biblical socialism and promoting the growth of art, literature, and science. Dr. Atl's strong love of the outdoors and his active nature are seen in his many paintings which portray the landscapes of his era. Among his interests was the study of volcanoes, and he spent much time visiting both Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. A book he wrote in 1950, Cómo nace y crece un volcán, el Paricutín ("How a Volcano is Born and Grows Paricutín"), told of his experience of witnessing the eruption of Paricutín in 1943. His time spent with volcanoes was the cause of a disease which led to the amputation of one of his legs. Listings wanted by Art Brokerage.