Gonzalo Morales Sáurez (1945-2017) was one of Costa Rica's most distinguished painters of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Throughout his remarkable career spanning over four decades, he captivated audiences with his masterful still life compositions and intimate portraits, establishing himself as a leading figure in Costa Rican representational art.
Early Life and Formation
Born in Costa Rica in 1945, Gonzalo Morales showed an early affinity for visual arts. His formative years were marked by intense study and dedication to understanding the classical principles of painting—light, composition, color theory, and the subtle beauty found in everyday objects and human expressions.
This foundation would become the bedrock of his artistic philosophy throughout his life, as Morales developed a deep appreciation for the European masters while maintaining a distinctly Latin American sensibility.
Gonzalo in the 1970s
Beginning of an extraordinary artistic journey
His work bridges the classical tradition with a contemporary Costa Rican perspective, creating a unique voice that resonated with collectors and art enthusiasts both locally and internationally.
"Revealing the hidden beauty and quiet dignity of the mundane"
Artistic Style and Themes
The Artist at Work
Capturing the essence of his subjects with masterful technique
Morales' work is characterized by his exceptional technical skill and his ability to capture the interplay of light and shadow with remarkable precision.
Working primarily in oils and pastels, he employed classical techniques while bringing a fresh, contemporary perspective to traditional genres.
His beloved still life paintings (bodegones) transform ordinary objects—flowers, fruits, household items—into subjects of profound contemplation. Through careful arrangement and masterful brushwork, he revealed the hidden beauty and quiet dignity of the mundane.
His color palette ranged from rich, warm tones to subtle, muted harmonies, always serving the emotional and aesthetic goals of each composition.
Portrait of Juan Rafael Mora
Capturing essence and character with psychological depth
His portrait work demonstrates an equally refined sensibility. Morales had an exceptional ability to capture not just the physical likeness of his subjects, but their essence and character. His portraits, including notable works depicting Costa Rican dignitaries and everyday citizens alike, are marked by psychological depth and humanistic warmth.
Career Highlights and International Recognition
Throughout his career, Morales exhibited extensively both in Costa Rica and internationally. His first solo exhibition took place in 1974 at Espacio Jorge Debravo in San José, marking the beginning of a prolific exhibition career. He went on to hold twelve individual exhibitions at prestigious venues including the Galería Sara Gordon, Casa Cultural de Mexico, and a retrospective at the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly in 1988.
Madrid, 2015
International exhibitions establishing his reputation in Europe
European Success
Later career achievements and recognition
Morales also participated in over 30 collective exhibitions, including the VI Bienal Iberoamericana de Arte in Mexico City (1988) and exhibitions at the Organization of American States Museum in Washington, DC. His work was shown in Spain, Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and across Central America, establishing his reputation as a significant figure in Latin American art.
Legacy and Impact
Throughout his seven-decade life, Gonzalo Morales remained steadfast in his commitment to representational art during an era that saw many artists embrace abstraction and conceptualism. His dedication to craftsmanship and traditional techniques served as both a preservation of artistic heritage and a testament to the enduring power of figurative painting.
Morales' work continues to be celebrated for its technical excellence, emotional depth, and its ability to find the extraordinary within the ordinary. His paintings invite viewers to slow down, to observe carefully, and to find beauty in the simple, quiet moments of life.
Today, his works are held in private collections throughout Central America, North America, and Europe. His legacy lives on not only through his paintings but through the many lives he touched with his art, his teaching, and his generous spirit.
Gonzalo Morales Sáurez
1945 - 2017
Press Recognition
Featured articles celebrating the life and work of Gonzalo Morales Sáurez
CRHoy
May 14, 2017
Retratistas presidenciales: Sus pinceles dan color a la historia
Features Gonzalo Morales Sáurez as a presidential portraitist who painted Abel Pacheco, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, and Laura Chinchilla, continuing a family tradition of capturing Costa Rican leaders.
La Nación
January 18, 2015
Un hiperrealista costarricense
Explores Gonzalo Morales Sáurez as a Costa Rican hyperrealist painter, highlighting his 1976 oil painting "Cajones de basura" which demonstrates his approach to elevating everyday objects into meaningful artistic subjects.
Teletica
August 16, 2018
Portrait of Juan Rafael Mora Porras to be placed in all Costa Rican embassies
Costa Rica's diplomatic missions will display digital replicas of Gonzalo Morales Sáurez's portrait of national hero Juan Rafael Mora Porras in embassies and consulates worldwide, commemorating the bicentennial of independence.