Graphite on paper. Sketch of a portrait. Signed and attr. Francisco Zuniga (Mexican, 1912-1988). 14.6 x 11.4 in. (37 x 29 cm). Francisco Zúñiga was a Costa Rican-born Mexican artist best known for his stylized figurative paintings and sculptures. Zúñiga’s work often adopts qualities of pre-Columbian art, especially in his stone sculptures which strive to maintain a timeless, mysterious quality in their boldly simplified forms. Most of his work depicts female figures either as nudes within natural environs, or as contemporary women walking through the markets of Mexico. Born on December 27, 1912 in Barrio de San José, Costa Rica, both of his parents were sculptors. Zúñiga was deeply influenced by the German Expressionists and the sculptor Auguste Rodin early in his artistic development. Today, his works can be found in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. The artist became a Mexican citizen 50 years after his arrival to the country, and died on August 9, 1998 in Tlapan, Mexico.

All authorship of items in this catalog are described according to the following terms:

By [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work is by the artist.

Attributed to [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

In the manner of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

After [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but is a deliberate copy of a known work by the artist.

Circle of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

Follower of [Artist Name]: In our opinion, a work by a pupil or a follower of the artist (not necessarily a pupil).

American, 19th century : In our opinion, this work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).

Bears signature : In our opinion, the signature on the artwork may be spurious.
Apocryphal : Of doubtful authenticity.