Skip to main content

Francisco Zúñiga Art

Costa Rican, 1912-1998

Known as one of the most important Expressionist artists to emerge from Latin America, Francisco Zúñiga is remembered for his monumental sculptures, figurative paintings and prints, nude drawings and portraits of Central America’s rural indigenous women.

Born in San José, Costa Rica, in 1912, Zúñiga’s exposure to artistic sculpture began at the age of 13, when he worked with his father, Manuel Maria Zúñiga, carving religious figures for local churches. Spurred by a growing interest in art, Zúñiga attended San José’s School of Fine Arts, where he became influenced by classical, renaissance figurative art. After winning several local awards for his prodigious talent, Zúñiga left San José for Mexico City in 1936.

In Mexico City, he attended La Esmeralda, the painting and sculpture school of the National Institute of Fine Arts. There, Zúñiga studied under sculptor Oliverio Martinez and painter Manuel Rodriguez Lozano.

In 1938, Zúñiga joined the faculty at La Esmeralda, where he taught sculpture and painting until 1970. Meanwhile, during the early 1940s, Zúñiga’s works began to attract the attention of art critics in the United States as well as important collectors. In 1941, the Arts Club of Chicago included him as part of their “Thirteen Mexican Artists” group show. The following year, Alfred Barr, director of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, purchased one of his stone sculptures for MoMA’s permanent collection. Then, in 1943, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired two of Zúñiga’s drawings. 

Throughout most of his career, Zúñiga limited his subject matter to indigenous peasant women. However, he experimented with working with a variety of materials for his sculptures — bronze, alabaster, plaster, marble and modeling clay — and sought new media to create his art. (He made his first lithograph at age 60.)

Zúñiga won countless accolades in his lifetime. He won international awards for 35 of his public sculptures along with other works, and in 1992, he won Mexico’s highest cultural award, the Premio Nacional de Calidad.

Even after his death in 1998, Zúñiga’s legacy lives on. His sculptures, drawings, paintings and prints are found in museums around the world, including MoMA and the Met in New York, the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City, the Fogg Museum at Harvard University, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., the Middleheim Museum in Antwerp, Belgium and the Open-Air Museum in Hakone, Japan.

On 1stDibs, discover a range of Francisco Zúñiga prints, drawings and paintings.

to
9
41
1
9
8
1
1
1
Item Ships From: California
Dos Mujeres Mayas (Two Mayan Women)
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Dos Mujeres Mayas (Two Mayan Women)") 1983 is an original Mixograph cast paper bas relief by Costa Rican/Mexican artist Francisco...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Other Medium

Soledad Acostada
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pencil signed lithograph by Costa Rican Master Francisco Zuniga (1921-1998) Works by Zuniga are instantly recognizable. He is mostly known for his paintings of rural indigenous wome...
Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

Francisco Zuniga, "El Rebozo Blanco, " original lithograph, hand signed
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is an original lithograph done by Francisco Zúñiga in 1986. Francisco Zúñiga was a Costa Rican-born Mexican artist best known for his stylized figurative paintings and scu...
Category

1980s Expressionist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

Francisco Zúñiga Offset Reproduction Part of 20 Drawings Portfolio, Martha 1974.
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptional piece is an official offset reproduction Titled "Martha" from the Zúñiga, 20 Drawings portfolio, published in 1974 by Misrachi, 2,000 Editions. Francisco Zúñiga, ren...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Canvas

Juchiteca's Platicando (Juchitecan Women Talking)
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Juchiteca's Platicando (Juchitecan Women Talking) 1985 is an original colors lithograph on Wove paper by Costa Rican/Mexican artist Francisco Zuniga, 1912-1998. It is hand signed, dated and numbered 72/150 in pencil by the artist. The size is 22.75 x 30 inches. It is in excellent condition, 2 small pieces of hanging tape remaining on the back at the top edge of the sheet from previous framing. About the subject: This print, Juchitecas Platicando (Juchitecán Women Talking), depicts three statuesque women from the city of Juchiteca in the state of Oaxaca in southeastern Mexico. Juchiteca is a largely matriarchal society, in that women control the economy and hold positions of power. It is also home to a large Zapotec population, indigenous to the land that became Mexico. Francisco Zúñiga lived within the community of Juchiteca for a period of time and adopted the women of the area as one of the central motifs of his artwork, both on paper and in sculpture. Through his selective coloring, Zúñiga highlights the women’s clothing, including their recognizable huipiles or tunics, conveying the pride in locally made textile art About the artist: Internationally acclaimed sculptor and printmaker Francisco Zuñiga was born in Costa Rica. He studied drawing, stone sculpture, and engraving at the School of Fine Arts in San Jose. Later, in 1936, he studied stone carving at La Esmeralda in Mexico City. He was appointed to the faculty of La Esmeralda where he remained until his retirement in 1970. Zuniga's art reflects a love and respect for Central American people and traditions. In 1972, he created his first lithograph. As a complement to his emotionally powerful sculpture, Zuniga's prints articulate the sensitivity and sensuality of the human figure. He has been the recipient of numerous international prizes and awards. His work is exhibited frequently in prominent galleries throughout the world and may be found in the permanent collections of twenty-nine museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum, the Mexican Museum in San Francisco, and the Phoenix Art Museum. In 1936, Francisco Zuniga left San Jose, Costa Rica, where he had studied drawing at the School of Fine Arts and worked as an assistant in his father's studio, a workshop which produced religious sculpture for the churches and convents in and around the city. His destination was Mexico City. It was from there that he would begin an illustrious career as a sculptor and draftsman. Zuñiga's exploration into the nuances of volume, in line and space, are demonstrated in this, the most complete exhibition of his work to be shown in more than a decade. Mexico City in 1936 was, even then, one of the major art centers of the Americas. As such it witnessed and participated in many of the frenzied and controversial art movements which reflected the political and intellectual climate of the first three decades of the twentieth century. Muralism, the graphic arts, the incorporation of in-ternational movements had produced an artistic climate, which would eventually attract to Mexico international artists and intellectuals such as Sergei Eisenstein, André Breton and Antonin Artaud. Then as now, Mexico City was a major world capital with the infrastructure necessary to exhibit and expose new aesthetic concepts. For all these reasons it was the most obvious destination of choice for Zuñiga. In Mexico he worked with the painter Manuel Rodríguez...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

Familia Indigena III
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Familia Indigena III" 1983 is an original colors lithograph on Wove paper by renown Costa Rican/Mexican artist Francisco Zuniga, 1912-1998. It is hand signed, dated and numbered 67/100 in pencil by the artist. The artwork size is 22 x 29.85 inches, framed size is 28.5 x 36.5 inches. Published and printed by La Poligrafa, Barcelona, Spain. Referenced and pictured in the artist's catalogue raisonne "Zuniga The Complete Graphics, 1972-1984, by Jerry Brewster, plate #93. Beautifully framed in a custom acrylic display box, with brown fabric backing. It is in excellent condition. About the artist: Internationally acclaimed sculptor and printmaker Francisco Zuñiga was born in Costa Rica. He studied drawing, stone sculpture, and engraving at the School of Fine Arts in San Jose. Later, in 1936, he studied stone carving at La Esmeralda in Mexico City. He was appointed to the faculty of La Esmeralda where he remained until his retirement in 1970. Zuniga's art reflects a love and respect for Central American people and traditions. In 1972, he created his first lithograph. As a complement to his emotionally powerful sculpture, Zuniga's prints articulate the sensitivity and sensuality of the human figure. He has been the recipient of numerous international prizes and awards. His work is exhibited frequently in prominent galleries throughout the world and may be found in the permanent collections of twenty-nine museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum, the Mexican Museum in San Francisco, and the Phoenix Art Museum. In 1936, Francisco Zuniga left San Jose, Costa Rica, where he had studied drawing at the School of Fine Arts and worked as an assistant in his father's studio, a workshop which produced religious sculpture for the churches and convents in and around the city. His destination was Mexico City. It was from there that he would begin an illustrious career as a sculptor and draftsman. Zuñiga's exploration into the nuances of volume, in line and space, are demonstrated in this, the most complete exhibition of his work to be shown in more than a decade. Mexico City in 1936 was, even then, one of the major art centers of the Americas. As such it witnessed and participated in many of the frenzied and controversial art movements which reflected the political and intellectual climate of the first three decades of the twentieth century. Muralism, the graphic arts, the incorporation of in-ternational movements had produced an artistic climate, which would eventually attract to Mexico international artists and intellectuals such as Sergei Eisenstein...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Silvia" Large original color lithograph
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Silvia" 1980 is an original colors lithograph on Wove paper by renown Costa Rican/Mexican artist Francisco Zuniga, 1912-1998. It is hand signed, dated and number...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

Mujeres de Mexico
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Mujeres de Mexico" 1973 is an original colors lithograph on Wove paper by renown Costa Rican/Mexican artist Francisco Zuniga, 1912-1998. It is hand signed, dated and numbered XX/XXV in pencil by the artist. The artwork size is 22.25 x 30.75 inches, framed size is 34.5 x 42.25 inches. Published by Editions Press, San Francisco, with their blind stamp at the lower right corner. Referenced and pictured in the artist's catalogue raisonne by Brewster plate #5. Beautifully custom framed in a wooden gold frame, with fabric matting and gold color bevel. It is in excellent condition, the frame have some light discoloration at the left side, please see picture #1. About the artist: Internationally acclaimed sculptor and printmaker Francisco Zuñiga was born in Costa Rica. He studied drawing, stone sculpture, and engraving at the School of Fine Arts in San Jose. Later, in 1936, he studied stone carving at La Esmeralda in Mexico City. He was appointed to the faculty of La Esmeralda where he remained until his retirement in 1970. Zuniga's art reflects a love and respect for Central American people and traditions. In 1972, he created his first lithograph. As a complement to his emotionally powerful sculpture, Zuniga's prints articulate the sensitivity and sensuality of the human figure. He has been the recipient of numerous international prizes and awards. His work is exhibited frequently in prominent galleries throughout the world and may be found in the permanent collections of twenty-nine museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum, the Mexican Museum in San Francisco, and the Phoenix Art Museum. In 1936, Francisco Zuniga left San Jose, Costa Rica, where he had studied drawing at the School of Fine Arts and worked as an assistant in his father's studio, a workshop which produced religious sculpture for the churches and convents in and around the city. His destination was Mexico City. It was from there that he would begin an illustrious career as a sculptor and draftsman. Zuñiga's exploration into the nuances of volume, in line and space, are demonstrated in this, the most complete exhibition of his work to be shown in more than a decade. Mexico City in 1936 was, even then, one of the major art centers of the Americas. As such it witnessed and participated in many of the frenzied and controversial art movements which reflected the political and intellectual climate of the first three decades of the twentieth century. Muralism, the graphic arts, the incorporation of in-ternational movements had produced an artistic climate, which would eventually attract to Mexico international artists and intellectuals such as Sergei Eisenstein...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Madre Juchiteca" Large original color lithograph.
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Madre Juchiteca" 1973 is an original colors lithograph on Arches paper by renown Costa Rican/Mexican artist Francisco Zuniga, 1912-1998. It is hand signed, dated...
Category

Late 20th Century Realist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

Related Items
L'HOMME A LA CRUCHE
By Théo Tobiasse
Located in Aventura, FL
Lithograph on paper. Hand signed and numbered by the artist. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of authenticity included. Edition of 310. All reasonable offers will be co...
Category

1980s Impressionist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

Midcentury Reproduction Hanging Plaster Lion Head
Located in Dallas, TX
Midcentury reproduction of hanging lion head made out of plaster.
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Plaster

Mère et enfant, 1989, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned, numbered
By Jean Jansem
Located in Les Acacias GE, GE
Jean Jansem (1920-2013) Mère et enfant, 1989 Lithographie sur papier Arches Signée en bas à droite et justifiée en bas à gauche 67 x 50,5 cm / 76 x 54 cm Bibliographie: Imprimeu...
Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

Le Luxe II BHGG, Gagosian poster (hand signed, dated, inscribed by Roe Ethridge)
By Roe Ethridge
Located in New York, NY
Roe Ethridge Le Luxe II BHGG, Gagosian poster (hand signed, dated and inscribed by Roe Ethridge), 2023 Offset lithograph poster invitation/mailer (hand...
Category

2010s Realist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Offset, Lithograph

Deux danseuses, 1995, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned, numbered
By Jean Jansem
Located in Les Acacias GE, GE
Jean Jansem (1920-2013) Deux danseuses, 1995 Lithographie sur papier Arches, justifiée et numérotée EA Signée en bas à droite 22 x 17 cm / 32 x 26 cm Bibliographie: Catalogue raiso...
Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

Vintage David Hockney Poster Miami New World Festival of Arts 1982 palm trees
By David Hockney
Located in New York, NY
This vintage David Hockney poster features whimsical imagery and rich, bright color. Palm trees, boats in the ocean, a cafe, and a bodega with an elaborate iron-wrought balcony sit a...
Category

1980s Realist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

Ballerine sur fond vert, 1995, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned
By Jean Jansem
Located in Les Acacias GE, GE
Jean Jansem (1920-2013) Ballerine sur fond vert, 1995 Lithographie sur papier Arches, justifiée et numérotée 48/100 Signée en bas à droite 22 x 17 cm / 32 x 26 cm Bibliographie: ...
Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Delft Frog 2" - Hand-Painted Resin Sculpture with Gold Crown, 2025
Located in Denver, CO
Nana Williams' "Delft Frog 2" is a striking, hand-painted resin sculpture measuring 1.50 x 1.25 x 2 inches (3.81 x 3.18 x 5.08 cm). This exquisite piece combines intricate blue flora...
Category

2010s Realist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Resin, Acrylic, Gouache

The Smell of Us (Hand signed poster)
By Larry Clark
Located in New York, NY
Larry Clark The Smell of Us (Hand signed poster), 2015 Offset lithograph poster Pencil signed by Larry Clark on the back 10 1/2 × 15 1/2 inches Unframed Limited edition poster; hand ...
Category

2010s Realist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph, Offset

Sophie aux bas rouges, 1993, original lithograph by Jean Jansem
By Jean Jansem
Located in Les Acacias GE, GE
Jean Jansem (1920-2013) Sophie aux bas rouges, 1993 Lithographie sur papier Arches, justifiée E/A Signée en bas à droite 66 x 50 cm / 76 x 56 cm Bibliographie: CR Jansem, 2000, n°...
Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

Antique Bronze Portrait Draft Horse by Isidore Jules Bonheur (France, 1827-1901)
By Isidore Jules Bonheur
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Antique Bronze Portrait of a Draft Horse Isidore Jules Bonheur (France, 1827-1901) Circa 1840s Cast bronze mounted on a rectangular plinth atop a marble s...
Category

1870s Realist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Bronze

Antique Dog: Bulldog Playing with a Mouse- Henri Émile Adrien Trodoux ca. 1870s
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Antique Bronze Dog Bulldog Playing with a Mouse on Sheaves of Wheat Henri Émile Adrien Trodoux (1815-1881) 6 1/8 x 3 7/5 inches Signed on the terrace Henri Émile Adrien Trodoux (Fre...
Category

Mid-19th Century Realist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Bronze

Previously Available Items
Lithograph Drawing "Grupo de Mujeres Sentadas, II" by Francisco Zuniga
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in San Diego, CA
Francisco Zuniga "Grupo de Mujeres Sentadas, II" 1976 Charcoal and pastel on paper lithograph Signed, dated and numbered 5 / 125 Printed and published by Kyron, with blind stamp lowe...
Category

Mid-20th Century Costa Rican Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Paper

Grupo de Mujeres Sentadas III Artist Proof
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in San Francisco, CA
Francisco Zuniga (1912-1998) "Grupo de Mujeres Sentadas III" Artist Proof Lithograph, circa 1981 Beautiful vintage lithograph by listed artist Francisco Zuniga. This is from an art...
Category

Late 20th Century Impressionist Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Lithograph

Original Charcoal and Pastel Drawing by Francisco Zuniga
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in San Diego, CA
Francisco Zuniga 1964 Signed Charcoal and pastel on paper Signed and dated lower right Paper size: approx 24.75" x 18.5" Framed size: approx 36" x 30" Internationally accla...
Category

Mid-20th Century Central American Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Paper

Francisco Zuniga Signed, Dated and Numbered Lithograph
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very finely framed Francisco Zuniga signed Lithograph "Mujeres con Nino en la Puerta dated and numbered: 1977 #60/100. Print measurement: 23 x 31. From the estate of Verna Harrah.
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Paper

Francisco Zuniga "Dos Mujeres Sentadas" Signed
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This item is 25% off in celebration of Harveys on Beverly's 50th Year Anniversary! This is an absolutely magnificent original museum quality signed crayon and pastel on gray paper d...
Category

1970s American Other Vintage Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Paper

Francisco Zuniga Signed and Dated Lithograph
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finely Framed Francisco Zuniga Signed Lithograph of Seated Mother and Child dated and numbered: 1973 #2/58. Print Measurement: 26 x 19.5 From the estate of Verna Harrah.
Category

Late 20th Century Costa Rican Francisco Zúñiga Art

Francisco Zuniga Signed Lithograph
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finely Framed Francisco Zuniga Signed Lithograph of Seated Lady dated and numbered: 1983 #51/135. Print Measurement: 24 x 32 From the estate of V...
Category

Late 20th Century Costa Rican Francisco Zúñiga Art

Francisco Zuniga Signed Lithograph
Francisco Zuniga Signed Lithograph
H 46 in W 39.5 in D 1.75 in
Juchitecas II
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Color lithograph Signed and dated L/R Provenance: Private Collection, CA
Category

1980s Contemporary Francisco Zúñiga Art

Mujer con Pescados
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Color lithograph Edition 52/135
Category

1980s Contemporary Francisco Zúñiga Art

Mujer con Turbante
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Pastel on paper drawing
Category

20th Century Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Paper, Pastel

Untitled (Two Women)
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Signed and dated on base Provenance: Private Collection, CA
Category

1980s Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Bronze

Nude Woman
By Francisco Zúñiga
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Conte Crayon on paper Signed lower right, "Zuniga, 1968". Francisco Zúñiga, one of Costa Rica and Mexico’s most prominent artists, was a prolific and illustrious draftsman and ...
Category

1960s Contemporary Francisco Zúñiga Art

Materials

Crayon, Paper

Francisco Zúñiga art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Francisco Zúñiga art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of orange and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Francisco Zúñiga in lithograph, paper, chalk and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Expressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Francisco Zúñiga art, so small editions measuring 15 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Graciela Rodo Boulanger, Jack Levine, and Walter Schnackenberg. Francisco Zúñiga art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $960 and tops out at $7,200, while the average work can sell for $2,500.

Artists Similar to Francisco Zúñiga

Recently Viewed

View All