Painter, printmaker and critic, Fernando Leal (1896 – 1964) made a lasting contribution to Mexican art. A native of San Luis Potosí, he studied at the Escuela al Aire Libre, Coyoacan and mastered many media including engraving, lithography and various painting techniques. He is best known for his realistic mural paintings, executed in fresco and encaustic, which are rich in color and free of symbolism. During his impressive career, he was an esteemed art critic and minister of culture as well as one of the first Mexican artists to depict indigenous subjects.