Humor and Politics

the self-portraits of the painter Francisco Cortijo (1936-1996)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46661/atrio.11630

Keywords:

Spanish Painting, 20th Century, Communism, Estampa Popular, Satire, Denunciation

Abstract

The aim of this text is to highlight the work of the Sevillian artist Francisco Cortijo (1936-1996) by analysing one of its most outstanding facets: the selfportrait. Through the study of these works –constructed through sarcasm and political commentary– a clear vision of his artistic evolution emerges. At the same time, they shed light on a deeply personal perception of the difficult reality experienced in Spain during the final two thirds of the twentieth century. Undoubtedly, Cortijo’s production, always closely linked to its historical context, deserves recognition as one of the most politically engaged bodies of work within the Sevillian cultural landscape, through which the artist raised his voice. This expressive resonance is particularly evident in the works analysed here, as they constitute a powerful statement by the painter, who portrays himself as a man of his time.

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Author Biography

Lucía Giráldez Torres, Universidad de Sevilla, España

Graduated in Art History at the University of Seville (2018-2022), she completed the Master's Degree in Andalusian Artistic Heritage and its Ibero-American Projection (2022-2023) at the same institution, starting with the research of the Sevillian painter Eustaquio Marín Ramos (1873-1948). To the aforementioned artist he dedicated his Master's Thesis, rated with the highest grade. Currently, she continues her PhD at the University of Seville, specializing in Sevillian aesthetics from between centuries. In this line, she has published in Archivo Hispalense, Anuario de Estudios Americanosor Laboratorio de Arte, participating as a judge in the "Ciudad Ayamonte" Painting Prize and as a speaker in the Piece of the Month of the Museum of Huelva, as well as in different congresses such as the one organized in 2025 by the Spanish Art History Committee.

References

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Campoy, Antonio Manuel. Diccionario crítico del arte español contemporáneo. Madrid: Ibérico Europea de Ediciones, S.A., 1973.

Cortijo, Ana María. ¡Yo conocí a un hombre de talento…que reía! Sevilla: Fundación Aparejadores, 2000.

Cortijo Mérida, Trinidad Francisco. Paco Cortijo. Dibujos. Exposición Galería Marta Moore. Sevilla: A. Pinelo, 1992.

Francisco Cortijo. Consultado el 5 de febrero de 2025. https://franciscocortijo.com.

Giráldez Torres, Lucía. "El pintor Eustaquio Marín Ramos (1873-1948). Apuntes biográficos, relaciones y lenguaje plástico." En Archivo Hispalense CVII (2024): 199-220. https://doi.org/10.71232/AH.2024.CVII.08

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Roda Peña, José. “Cantarero Mesón, Rafael (1907-1957).” En Universidad de Sevilla. Personalidades, coordinado por Ramón María Serrera Contreras, 119-120. Sevilla: Editorial Universidad de Sevilla, 2015.

Published

2026-04-14

How to Cite

Giráldez Torres, L. (2026) “Humor and Politics: the self-portraits of the painter Francisco Cortijo (1936-1996)”, Atrio. Revista de Historia del Arte. Sevilla, España, (32), pp. 308–326. doi: 10.46661/atrio.11630.

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Articles

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