Héctor Xavier Sold at Auction Prices

Painter, b. 1921 - d. 1994

Héctor Xavier (1921 – July 3, 1994) was one of Mexico's most important sketch artists of the 20th century. Part of the Generación de la Ruptura, Xavier was one of the founders of the Prisse Gallery, which helped to break the hold that Mexican muralism artists had on the market in Mexico. He had his first exhibition, of paintings, in the late 1940s, but it was criticized as showing lack of drawing technique, this prompted Xavier to practice the discipline for nine hours a day and becoming specialized in it. However, he felt closer to writers and journalists than to other artists, with his work published in newspapers, magazines and books, rather than exhibited in Mexico via art shows. Except for acceptance into the Salón de la Plástica Mexicana, he was disconnected from the art scene for much of his career and did not believe in donating his works to museums or other art institutions. For these reasons, there are no major collections of his work and much of it is lost.

Héctor Xavier was born Héctor Xavier Hernández y Gallegos in Tuxpan, Veracruz to Alfonso Hernández and Paula Gertrudis Gallegos. He often called himself the “son of an unknown soldier” as his father abandoned the family when he was very young and stopped using his surnames.[1][2] His childhood was spent near the beaches and waters of the Gulf of Mexico and he stated in an interview that this “awoke” his sensitivity due to the saline air and lack of winds. He stated that he knew his ability to draw since a young child, tracing his feet in the wet sands these same beaches.[1]

When he was sixteen, he left Veracruz with nothing and went to Mexico City. To survive, he drew caricatures in the center of the city, and sold pottery, perfume knockoffs and herbal medicines.[1][2] He attended the Escuela Nacional de Pintura, Escultura y Grabado "La Esmeralda" only for six months as he organized a strike to demand more materials for students. It was his only formal training.[1]

He died on July 3, 1994 of respiratory failure in Mexico City.