Guillermo Prieto

A portrait of Guillermo Prieto (Mexico's national poet). On the back, President Benito Juárez is painted black. There is a white background.
Guillermo Prieto, was a19th century Mexican writer and politician. His portrait shows two main events in his life. The first is on the desk, “El romancero mexicano”, one of his most famous writings. The second takes place behind Prieto, during the War of Reforma (1858-1861) he protected President Benito Juárez from an assassination attempt by placing himself between Juárez and the weapons at the same time that he exclaimed “Los valientes no asesinan”, written on the lineography.
Erasto Cortés was an artist well known because of his work as engraver. He was a main figure in arts the first half of 20th century in Mexico. Part of his work revolves around Mexican historic figures.