Figure Crouching in Desolation, 1973

Francisco Zúñiga (1912–1998) was a Costa Rican-born Mexican artist renowned for his sculptures, paintings, and drawings that predominantly depict indigenous women, emphasizing themes of maternity and familial responsibility. His work is characterized by a deep appreciation for the human form, often portraying women in traditional attire such as the rebozo, and reflects a strong influence from pre-Hispanic art. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Z%C3%BA%C3%B1iga?utm_source=openai))

Zúñiga's artistic journey began under the tutelage of his father, a religious sculptor in San José, Costa Rica. In 1936, he relocated to Mexico City, where he studied at La Esmeralda Art Institute and later joined its faculty, teaching from 1938 until his retirement in 1970. Throughout his career, he created over thirty-five public sculptures, including notable works like the monument to poet Ramón López Velarde in Zacatecas and "Tres generaciones" in Sendai, Japan. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Z%C3%BA%C3%B1iga?utm_source=openai))

Zúñiga's works are held in the permanent collections of esteemed institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. His sculptures have achieved significant market milestones, with "Grupo de cuatro mujeres de pie" selling for $3,127,500 at Christie's New York in 2017. ([mutualart.com](https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Francisco-Zuniga/59A2BB69410935F5/Biography?utm_source=openai))