Born in Oaxaca, Tamayo moved to Mexico City after the death of his parents and studied at the Academia de San Carlos. Attracted by the shapes and colors of Mexican popular art, he developed his own style that combined expressionism, cubism and surrealism. His work distanced himself from the politically committed art of muralists such as Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco, opting for a more personal and universal vision of Mexican culture.

Throughout his career, Tamayo exhibited in cities such as New York, Paris and Tokyo, establishing himself as an artist of international prestige. He created emblematic murals such as América (1956) in Houston and Homenaje a la Raza (1979) in the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Furthermore, his contribution to art transcended his personal work with the founding of the Rufino Tamayo Museum in Mexico City.

Rufino Tamayo’s impact on art continues, with his works exhibited in important museums and private collections in different places around the world. His ability to reinterpret Mexican cultural heritage with modern language made him a fundamental figure in 20th century art.