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Amighett by Mark DeVries from Wikimedia Commons
Top 10 Francisco Amighetti
Francisco Amighetti was a great Costa Rican painter, engraver, and writer born in San Jose in 1907. Having created over 500 works, the majority of which were engravings, many of which received significant national and international recognition. In Costa Rica, he is regarded as one of the most influential twentieth-century national artists, whose work depicts Costa Rican society and culture.
He also painted oil paintings, watercolours, and fresco murals in addition to writing. His artistic work can be found in foreign and Costa Rican museums, and he has received significant national and international recognition. He also taught at various colleges and universities.
Here are other great facts about him.
1. His parents were originally from Italy
Francisco Amighetti Ruiz, one of Costa Rica’s most famous and influential artists, was born in San Jose on June 1, 1907. Francisco “Paco” Amighetti was born to parents of Italian ancestry, Juan Amighetti Petensi and ngela Ruiz Echeverra. His artistic talent was evident to those around him at a young age.
2. His talent was recognized when he was still in school
During his high school years, he attended the main boys’ school in San Jose, Liceo de Costa Rica, where his superiors recognised his talent for artistry and creativity. It was then suggested that his artistic talent be pursued and explored in order to encourage such a unique talent. After graduating from the Liceo de Costa Rica in 1924, he continued his education at the Academy of Fine Arts in 1926.
3. At some point, he was working at the Direct Tax Offices as a clerk
Tomás Povedano by Museo de Arte Costarricense from Wikimedia Commons
During this time, the director was Tomás Povedano, a well-known Spanish painter and ardent supporter of the institution, which assisted many aspiring artists in honing their skills. Francisco Amighetti studied drawing and painting techniques. Because he felt he was limited by the methods, he only stayed for a year, while working as a clerk in the Direct Tax Offices. He chose to leave the Academy, giving him the opportunity to break free and explore his abilities outside of the institution on his own.
4. He started becoming famous in December 1927
In December 1927, his work was featured in articles in Repertorio Americano, shedding light on his cartoons and pencil drawings with the well-known Latin American artistic magazine. Francisco Amighetti’s life progressed when he fell in love with another creative mind from Costa Rica’s Central Valley, Emilia Prieto, and they had two children, Jose Pablo and Cecilia.
5. His wife Emilia Prieto was also a creative
Emilia Prieto by Judy Blankenship from Wikimedia Commons
Emilia Prieto, his wife, was also involved in the arts, becoming an art teacher in a number of different schools and enrolling in art classes at the Costa Rican School of Fine Arts. She was a graphic artist, writer, folklorist, singer, and composer, and her skills may have influenced her husband’s artistic inspiration and thinking.
6. He went on to become a professor, teaching woodcutting techniques
A method of carefully carving a drawing into the wood and removing and cutting away the areas that are not touched. What remains is an image that has been raised and then inked. Previously, it was drawn on the wood or on paper, then traced or glued onto the wood. In 1931, he brought this skill to the classrooms of Heredia, where he became a drawing professor, teaching students the techniques of woodcutting and drawing.
7. He was also a skilled poet
After returning home from his time abroad, Francisco Amighetti collaborated with a group of like-minded artists to create the Album of Engravings. It was the first of its kind in plastic arts in Costa Rica, making history.
His abilities extended far beyond his artwork; he was also a skilled poet, publishing 14 poems in 1936 under the title “Poetry,” his first published literary work. This year, he fell in love with another artist, Flora Lujan, a Costa Rican painter, with whom he has two daughters, Olga and Marta. She was a watercolour and oil painter who once taught Plastic Arts.
8. He got a scholarship at the University of New Mexico
Unm hodginhall by PerryPlanet from Wikimedia Commons
In 1938, he had his first solo exhibition of oil, sanguine, and watercolour paintings. He returned to his studies after continuing with exhibitions of oils, drawings, and woodcuts, travelling, and blossoming his international career.
On a scholarship at the University of New Mexico, he studied watercolour techniques in the United States. His artistic evolution and creativity would take him to Mexico, where he studied mural techniques.
9. he was honoured with the Magón National Prize for Culture
During this time, Francisco Amighetti continued to hold international exhibits representing his country and providing content as a graphic illustrator, while also working as a teacher. However, one of his most memorable years was 1970, when he was awarded the Magón National Prize for Culture, an award recognising him for his life’s work for Costa Rican culture and issued by the Costa Rican government. It is one of the highest awards one can receive.
10. Towards the end of his life he chose to focus on woodwork
However, he left teaching and even his art of watercolour and oil paintings in 1968. A new artistic period in his life began when he transitioned from black-and-white woodblock engravings to chromoxylography. His woodcuts were exhibited at the Amighetti Gallery in San Jose for many years and would be the focus of his remaining years.
He worked in San Jose until his death in 1998, leaving behind an inspirational legacy of over 500 artistic creations. His abilities extended across a wide range of techniques, which he perfected along the way, earning him international acclaim. Many will remember his work for his artistic expression in his outstanding designs, which shine beauty and light on traditional everyday Costa Rican life.
