Mathias Goeritz facts for kids

Torres de Satélite, Mexico City, by Luis Barragán with Mathias Goeritz

Werner Mathias Goeritz Brunner (born April 4, 1915, in Danzig, German Empire – died August 4, 1990, in Mexico City) was a famous Mexican painter and sculptor. He was originally from Germany. After living in North Africa and Spain for much of the 1940s, he and his wife, photographer Marianne Gast, moved to Mexico in 1949.

Yellow wall at El Eco's patio

Early Life and Studies

Mathias Goeritz was born in Danzig, Germany, in 1915. He grew up in Berlin. In 1934, he started studying philosophy and art history at Berlin's Friedrich-Wilhelm-Universität. This university is now called the Humboldt University of Berlin.

He earned a doctorate degree in art history from this school in 1940. His main project for the degree was about a German painter from the 1800s, Ferdinand von Rayski. While studying, Goeritz also learned to be an artist. He took drawing classes at the Kunstgewerbe- und Handwerksschule in Berlin-Charlottenberg.

Artistic Journey and Career

After finishing his doctorate, Goeritz worked at Berlin's Nationalgalerie (National Gallery). This museum is now known as the Alte Nationalgalerie.

In early 1941, during Second World War, Goeritz left Germany. He first settled in Tetuan, Morocco. In 1942, he married photographer Marianne Gast. After the war ended in 1945, they moved to Granada, Spain.

In June 1946, he had his first art show in Madrid. He used the artist name "Ma-Gó." In 1947, the Goeritzs moved to Madrid. There, Goeritz became good friends with the Spanish sculptor Ángel Ferrant.

El pájaro de fuego (The Fire Bird) by Goeritz in Guadalajara, Mexico.

In the summer of 1948, Goeritz and Ferrant visited the ancient cave paintings of the Cave of Altamira in northern Spain. Goeritz suggested starting an "Escuela de Altamira" (Altamira School). This would be a group of artists and writers who would meet near the cave every year. The school met twice, in 1949 and 1950.

In 1949, Goeritz was offered a job teaching art history in Mexico. He taught at the new Escuela de Arquitectura in Guadalajara. In 1953, he shared his "Manifiesto de la Arquitectura Emocional" (Emotional Architecture Manifesto). This happened before the official opening of the Museo Experimental El Eco in Mexico City. Goeritz had designed this museum in 1952–53.

During the 1950s, Goeritz also worked with architect Luis Barragán. They created huge abstract sculptures from concrete. Some of their famous works include El animal del Pedregal (The Animal of the Pedregal, 1951) and the Torres de la Ciudad Satélite (Towers of Satellite City, 1957).

Personal Life

Mathias Goeritz married photographer Marianne Gast in 1942. He passed away in Mexico City on August 4, 1990.

Important Works and Influence

Las Torres, the main symbol of the School of High Studies (FES) Aragón at the National Autonomous University of Mexico

Goeritz showed his art in many places in Mexico and other countries throughout his life. He had a big impact on younger Mexican artists. Some of these artists include Helen Escobedo and Pedro Friedeberg.

Here are some of his well-known works:

• El animal del Pedregal (The Animal of Pedregal, 1951): A concrete sculpture in Mexico City.
• Los amantes (The Lovers): A sculpture at the Hotel Presidente in Acapulco.
• El bailarín (The Dancer).
• La mano divina (The Divine Hand) and La mano codiciosa (The Covetous Hand): Reliefs (sculptures that stick out from a flat surface) in a church in Mexico City.
• El Eco Museo Experimental ("El Eco" Experimental Museum, 1953): A museum he designed in Mexico City.
• El Pájaro Amarillo (The Yellow Bird, 1957): Located in Guadalajara.
• Torres de la Ciudad Satélite (Towers of Satellite City, 1957): Created with Luis Barragán.
• Stained glass windows for cathedrals and churches in Mexico City and Cuernavaca.
• He helped organize the sculptures for the Ruta de la Amistad (Route of Friendship). This was a big project for the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
• Osa Mayor (Ursa Major, 1968): At the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City.
• Torres de Automex (Automex Towers, 1963–64).
• Pirámide de Mixcoac (Mixcoac Pyramid, 1971): In Mexico City.
• Murals for the Arco Tower in Los Angeles, California, United States, 1970.
• Corona de Bambi and Espacio Escultórico (Sculpture Space, 1979): At the Ciudad Universitaria, UNAM, Mexico City.
• Laberinto de Jerusalén (Jerusalem Labyrinth), 1978-1980.
• A large bronze entry door for a house in Acapulco, 1973.

See also

In Spanish: Mathias Goeritz para niños

• List of people from Danzig