Isabel Villaseñor facts for kids

Isabel 'Chabela' Villaseñor (born in Guadalajara on May 18, 1909 – died in Mexico City on March 13, 1953) was a famous Mexican artist. She was a talented sculptor, printmaker, painter, poet, and songwriter. She became well-known after the Mexican Revolution.

About Isabel Villaseñor

Isabel Villaseñor was born in the city of Guadalajara, Mexico. In 1928, she moved to Mexico City to study art. She joined the 'Centro Popular de Pintura Santiago Rebull' school to learn sculpture. Her teachers were the school's founder, Gabriel Fernández Ledesma, and artist Francisco Diaz de Leon.

Later, Isabel married Gabriel Fernández Ledesma, who was also an artist. She passed away in 1953 from a heart attack.

Her Amazing Artworks

Isabel Villaseñor's art was recognized early on. In 1930, she was one of only two female artists whose work was shown in a very important exhibition called Mexican Arts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

In 1931, she worked as a teacher in the state of Hidalgo. That same year, she had her first solo art show at the National Library of Mexico. She was also part of an artist group called ¡30-30!. This group was known for creating art that went against traditional rules and often showed revolutionary ideas.

Her art was also displayed in other major exhibitions. This included the 1943 show Mexican Art Today at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Her work was likely also part of the 1940 exhibition Twenty Centuries of Mexican Art at the New York Museum of Modern Art.

Villaseñor created sculptures using metal and wood. Her art often showed her personal feelings and experiences. For example, some of her works reflected the sadness she felt after her son passed away in 1934. Others showed her loving relationship with her daughter, Olinca.

In 1953, a famous Mexican painter named María Izquierdo praised Villaseñor. She said that Isabel Villaseñor and Frida Kahlo were "the only real Mexicans in their work." This meant their art truly captured the spirit and culture of Mexico.

Her Writings and Plays

Isabel Villaseñor was not only a visual artist but also a writer.

• She wrote a play in verse called Elena the traicionera (Elena the Traitor) in 1929.
• She wrote the story for a ballet called The maleficio (The Curse) in 1948. This ballet was performed for the first time after she passed away in 1954. Elena Noriega did the dance moves, Blas Galindo composed the music, and her husband, Fernández Ledesma, designed the sets.

Art Exhibitions of Her Work

Isabel Villaseñor's art was shown in many places.

• She had an exhibition about the Events of Bogota. This was about a time of great unrest in Colombia.
• She also had an exhibition for the American Continental Congress for Peace. This event took place in Mexico City in October 1949. It was part of a worldwide effort to promote peace and stop violence.
• In 1999, a special exhibition showing many of Villaseñor's works was held at the Museo de la Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público.

See also

In Spanish: Isabel Villaseñor para niños