Returning from the Spanish Civil War in 1939, César Manrique climbed onto his roof in Arrecife, stripped off his military uniform, and burned it. This rejection of conflict set the course for a career defined by environmental advocacy and the integration of architecture into the rugged, volcanic landscapes of his native Lanzarote.
Artistic Foundations
Manrique studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid and attended Virginia Commonwealth University. By the 1950s, he emerged as a key figure in Spanish informalism, creating abstract works that moved beyond traditional painting. During this period, he produced murals for the Hotel Fénix, Banco Guipuzcoano, and Barajas Airport, eventually expanding his practice into design, ceramics, and sculpture.
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Following the 1963 death of his partner Josefa Gómez, Manrique relocated to New York in 1964. Supported by a grant from Nelson Rockefeller, he set up a studio on the Lower East Side. His work was exhibited at the Catherine Viviano gallery and the Guggenheim Museum. Although exposed to pop art, he grew disillusioned with the city's lack of natural surroundings.
Environmentalism and Lanzarote
Returning to Lanzarote, Manrique became a vocal advocate against unchecked development. He fought for strict regulations on high-rise hotels to preserve the island's character. His architectural projects, including Jameos del Agua, Mirador del Río, Jardín de Cactus, Mirador de La Peña, and the Volcano Grill, used sustainable principles to blend infrastructure with volcanic geology. His legacy is managed by the Fundación César Manrique.
Recognition
Manrique received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Gold Medal for Tourism Merit in 1976 and the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit in 1978. In 1980, he was awarded both the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts and the Order of Andrés Bello. Later honors included the Fritz Schumacher Award and the Premios de Canarias in 1989.
Fast facts
- Born: 1919, Arrecife, Spain
- Died: 1992, Arrecife, Spain
- Primary occupations: Architect, painter, sculptor, environmentalist
- Education: Virginia Commonwealth University, Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando
- Notable project: Jameos del Agua
- Award: Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit (1978)
- Award: Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts (1980)
- Legacy: Fundación César Manrique
Questions readers ask
What was the core of Manrique’s architectural philosophy?
He advocated for sustainable tourism and the preservation of traditional architectural principles while ensuring structures harmonized with the natural volcanic landscape.
Did Manrique only work as an architect?
No, he began his career as a painter in 1939 and remained active as a sculptor and artist throughout his life, frequently bridging the gap between fine art and environmental design.
Achievements
- Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit — 1978
- Order of Andrés Bello — 1980
- Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts — 1980
- Gold Medal for Tourism Merit — 1976
- Notable work: La Vaguada
- Notable work: Jardín de Cactus
- Notable work: Volcano Grill of Lanzarote
- Notable work: Mirador de La Peña
