Mujeres features color lithographs signed by the artist, and which explore Tamayo’s portrayal of women in the most carnal and sacred sense. Mythical and primordial in nature, the lithographs demonstrate his frequent use of women as his subject matter and a vibrant palate, reflecting his strong philosophies around the use of color and a work’s meaning. The women in these lithographs, though contemporary and even whimsical in form, are especially symbolic of Tamayo’s native land of Oaxaca and its ancient civilizations.
Tamayo is considered one of Mexico’s foremost Modernists, and is well-known for his development of a new medium in graphic prints called Mixografia, a technique that allows for the production of prints with three-dimensional texture. His artistic career spanned more than 70 years, and he remained productive in his work close to the end of his life.
Tamayo’s works have been displayed in museums throughout the world, most notably the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., and The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid. The Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum was opened in 1981 as a repository for the collections that Tamayo and his wife acquired during their lifetimes, which were ultimately donated back to Mexico.