Julio Larraz (b. 1944) is the quintessential embodiment of the post-World War II Latin-American artist. Influenced by Surrealism and Giorgio de Chirico in particular, Larraz’ work features Cuban cultural imagery such as bull fights, white linen suits, maritime scenes, and everyday life in the Caribbean. Though he often alludes to the corruption of political and social power, the cropped compositions and obscure faces render the narratives of his paintings ambiguous.
The son of a newspaper publisher, Julio was born in Havana, Cuba, and began to draw at a very early age. In 1961, his entire family fled Cuba and moved to Miami, Florida. In 1964, he traveled on to New York City where he studied with notable illustrators such as David Levine. He began drawing political caricatures which were published by the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, and Vogue magazine, among others. . He learned painting techniques from several artists in New York, such as Burt Silverman, and began painting full time in 1967. Larraz’ style is influenced by traditional Spanish painters, Surrealists, such as Giorgio de chirico, and early Modern European painters, particularly Édouard Manet.
In 1976, he won both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the National Institute of Arts and Letters awards. The same year, he was also awarded the Cintas scholarship of the International Education Institute. One year later, Larraz moved to San Patricio, New Mexico, fascinated by the light and atmosphere of Valle Hondo’s arid hills. There, he met Ron Hall, who went on to become one of his best friends. Their friendship and partnership continues to this day with Ron Hall Gallery hosting a large collection of his works. Julio’s work was also featured in the film adaptation of Ron’s NYT bestselling book “Same Kind of Different as Me”.
Julio’s work is also included in collections around the world, such as the Museo de Monterrey in Mexico, the World Bank in Washington, D.C., and the Museo de Arte Moderno in Bogota. He lives and works in Miami.
Writer’s Desk Las Brisas The Planets
