Francisco Onate

Francisco Rodríguez Oñate (1940–2019) was a distinguished Mexican post-war and contemporary artist whose career extended over several decades throughout Mexico, the United States, and Latin America. Born in Michoacán, he received his education at the Escuela Popular de Bellas Artes at the University of Michoacán, where he studied under esteemed artists such as Alfredo Zalce, Roberto Martínez, and Javier Arévalo

Oñate presented his work in numerous exhibitions, including those in Mexico City, Chicago, Santa Fe, and Guatemala, and held significant leadership positions within museums and cultural centers in both Michoacán and California’s Bay Area.

He was renowned for his contributions to painting and printmaking, developing a unique artistic approach that fused traditional Mexican iconography with modern figurative abstraction.

Throughout his professional life he worked across various mediums—painting, murals, and printmaking—and assumed key roles, including director of the Centro Cultural Antiguo Colegio Jesuita and co-founder of several museums in Michoacán and Pátzcuaro.

His legacy continues to influence the artistic landscape of Mexico and beyond through his innovative works and commitment to regional arts institutions.