Raúl Martínez

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Raúl Martínez (1927-1995) was a Cuban painter, designer and graphic artist. He is best known for colorful pop-art portraits of leading Cuban political figures including José Martí and Camilo Cienfuegos.

Martínez, born in Ciego de Avila, studied in Havana and in Chicago’s Institute of art. His early works were abstract, moving towards figurative work later in his career. After the Cuban revolution of 1959, Martínez helped the foundation of the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC), Casa de las Américas and the Cuban Book Institute.

Influenced by the growing pop-art movement, Martínez created a series of designs for magazines, books and posters. Many of his works carried the themes and iconography of the Cuban revolution, using vibrant colors and comic book themes. In 1966 Martínez began the first of many designs based around the image of Cuban hero José Martí.

Works by Raul Martinez are on exhibit in museums throughout the world. He made at least twenty personal exhibits, including exhibitions of his drawings and designs in the Center of Cuban Studies in New York (1975), and Cuban photography and posters (1983, United States). He also received the Silver Medal in the Cuban Painting Exhibition at Tampa University, Florida. Cuba’s National Museum of Fine Arts dedicates a large space in the permanent collections halls to Raul Martinez.