Gerardo Murillo Coronado, who adopted the pseudonym Dr. Atl in 1902, reshaped Mexican art through his intense focus on volcanic landscapes and indigenous heritage. Born in Guadalajara in 1875, he occupied a multifaceted role as a philosopher, art historian, and volcanologist, ultimately becoming a central influence on the development of the national muralist movement before his death in 1964.
Early Education and European Influence
Murillo began his artistic training under Felipe Castro in Guadalajara. At age 21, he enrolled at the Academy of San Carlos in Mexico City. By 1897, he secured a government grant from Porfirio Díaz to pursue studies in Europe. During this period, he engaged with philosophy and law at the University of Rome and attended art lectures by Henri Bergson in Paris. It was in Paris that Leopoldo Lugones bestowed upon him the title Dr. Atl, incorporating the Nahuatl term for water.
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Upon returning to Mexico, Dr. Atl emerged as a vocal proponent of monumental public art. His 1906 manifesto served as a precursor to the Mural Movement. He was commissioned by the Díaz administration to create a glass curtain for the Palacio de Bellas Artes, depicting the volcanoes overlooking the capital. Later, he supported the Constitutionalist faction during the Mexican Revolution, joining forces under Venustiano Carranza and serving as Director of the Academy of San Carlos. He also urged students José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros to contribute to the official paper, La Vanguardia.
Volcanology and Literary Contributions
Beyond his artistic career, Dr. Atl gained recognition for his scientific commitment to volcanology, notably spending years observing Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. His firsthand witness of the 1943 Paricutín eruption resulted in a serious injury requiring the amputation of his leg and inspired his 1950 publication, Cómo nace y crece un volcán, el Paricutín. His literary output included various studies, such as the two-volume Folk Arts in Mexico, and several collections of stories including Cuentos bárbaros and Cuentos de todos los colores.
Fast facts
- Born: 1875, Guadalajara
- Died: 1964, Mexico City
- Signature name: Dr. Atl
- National Prize for Arts and Sciences: 1958
- Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor: 1956
- Burial site: Rotonda de las Personas Ilustres
- Field: Painting, philosophy, volcanology
- Member of: Colegio Nacional
Questions readers ask
What is the meaning of the name Dr. Atl?
The name combines the Nahuatl word for water, Atl, chosen by the artist in 1902, with the title Dr. added by Leopoldo Lugones.
How did he lose his leg?
He suffered a leg injury while observing the eruption of the Paricutín volcano in 1943.
Achievements
- Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor — 1956
- National Prize for Arts and Sciences — 1958
