This Mexican painter was born right after Mexico gained its independence, on April 24, 1826, in Tepetlaoxtloc. He studied at Academy of San Carlos and became one of Mexico's premier 19th century graphic artists and landscape painters. He was a student under Pietro Gauldi (Italian born painter) and was also influenced by the work of Claudio Linati Prevost. Prevost is credited for introducing lithography to Mexico.
Castro was important in documenting the turbulent years in Mexican history following the revolution. Early in his career he began producing prints depicting Mexico, events and her way of life. Regarded as the most important recording of life in Mexico is an endeavor titled Mexico y sus Alrededores (Mexico and its Environs), that he worked in conjunction with J. Campillo. The project is a collection of 42 prints (31 of which Castro created) employing innovative aerial views of Mexican life, its people, their dress, neighborhoods, markets, tradesmen, architectural facades, etc. The portfolio was given to Maximilian Hapsburg, then emperor of Mexico.
Following a trip to Europe, Castro produced architectural and interior designs, images of Mexican towns plus posters for fashion houses and fairs. This collection began to show the nuances of art nouveau.
Today I am including one of the lithographs from the Mexico y sus Alrededores...Guardiola Square.
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