Born in 1921, Hector Xavier's father abandoned the family when he was quite young so he often joked that he was the son of the unknown soldier!
He was actually one of Mexico's greatest sketch artists (drawers) of the 20th century. His work was published in books and periodicals, leading him to become a member of the literary world more than the art world. His work was primarily in portraiture, flora, animals and the human figure, in pen and ink. Georges Rouault was his main influence in the area of fauna, with Leonardo da Vinci a predominant source for his silverpoint work later. I can also see Albrecht Durer as an influence.
I am particularly fond of the owl pictured below because of the sparingly used line creating just enough value...with the white space taking on more importance. "Less is more"
Xavier lived to be 73, dying of respiratory failure in 1994.
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