Biography
Francisco Hernández Díaz.
Melilla (1932) – Vélez-Málaga (2012).
Spanish painter and draftsman.
Basically self-taught, despite having been enrolled for a couple of courses at the San Fernando School of Fine Arts in Madrid, the painter Francisco Hernández Díaz (Melilla, 1932), an early draftsman, had the opportunity in 1945, that is, with only thirteen years, to demonstrate in a Via Crucis that is conserved in the Trapiche church in Vélez-Málaga, his exceptional qualities for drawing, an activity that has always been in him, either with graphite pencil or with Chinese ink, essential, both in an independent and autonomous sense and in that of the substrate and foundation of all his plastic work.
Hernández’s prodigious capacity for drawing, the fruit of a natural gift but also of continued exercise and discipline with respect to this means of expression, as well as his constant study of the classics, from Dürer to Rembrandt, from Mantegna to Ingres and Picasso, it has been translated into a special ability to synthesize in a portrait the physiognomic and psychological features of the model, endowing it in turn with a soul, with a recondite spiritual force that flows from the depths of the character portrayed.
During the 1950s, Hernández’s palette was enriched and clarified, emerging a work of rapid and gestural brushstroke, of enormous security and ease, where sometimes the pictorial material is thickened and applied in thick fillings, while other times it allows the canvas. It is a painting with very gestural spots and strokes, from which, as the painter himself recognizes, the figures are built, generally on funds made with a spatula, with a predominance of reds, blues and greens. His impressionist appearance should not, however, be confused with historical impressionism, unlike the latter, he uses black and models the object following a technique that would be closer to Sorolla‘s luminism.
The preferred subject of his compositions of that time is the human figure, especially the portraits, in which he takes excellent care of the composition and the general arrangement of the figure. In his first important individual, held in March 1955 at the Economic Society of Friends of the Country of Malaga, he was able to show numerous examples of that first consolidated style of his painting.
After a short period that began with the exhibition at the Alfil Gallery in Madrid in November 1958, characterized by a new drawing concept in which the strangest thing is the final effect of the form, as if a type of moth that was mortifying and piercing the meat, piercing it and making it cavernous as if it were a woodworm, emptying it of its material content, destroying it and leaving it almost in a pure skeleton, creating a completely original texture in the application of ink on the paper, and later to another ephemeral phase, between 1961-1964, in which he painted works of enormous melancholy, of an abandoned sadness, in which the figures have lost their arms and seem to be statues, hieratic and rigid effigies of a past irretrievable, archaeological vestiges of lost Mediterranean civilizations, where archaic Greek statuary merges with Egyptian painting and the law of frontality, begins, in the middle of the s sixties, the zenith stage of its production, which lasted until the end of the seventies.
The capital works of this period are the Triptych of Venice, from 1966, and The Morales family, from the same year. The first, carried out with a wash pencil and India ink on canvas, has an aesthetic root of Rembrandtian origin, since, as with the Skinned Ox at the Louvre, it also elevates the genre of still life to a higher level, redeeming it of a possible vulgar condition. Hernández turns the organic forms of his painting, a mixture of wine skins and bones, into a metaphor for human existence, a vision that speaks of tension, of the daily struggle that living is, of our tragic condition. The second is a huge collective portrait, also made with Chinese ink on wood, imbued with a strange, surreal, unreal, magical atmosphere, with a subtle phantasmagoria of exquisite modulations. The children represented here live only in that ineffable dimension of true artistic creation.
Between 1974 and 1976, Hernández’s work becomes in part more dramatic. The previous organic forms end up being concretized, and beings whose limbs have been cut off, generally the head, feet and hands emerge, their bodies also being swollen, imprisoned by tapes and frayed bandages that tighten them with force. Sometimes we guess the formation of an underworld of inner roots and branches in the lower extremities of these men who have ceased to be so, as if the veins and arteries were transmuted into a dense and thick tangle of vegetable roots. They are usually seated, leaning against semi-ruined brick walls and it is also common to have a cane next to them and a highly branched tree crown in place of the head. Elements, undoubtedly surreal, that are mixed with those of expressionist affiliation. Hernández seems to be screaming, a warning about inhibitions, alienation, lack of freedom. The Allegory of Cante Jondo, from 1974, is a work that synthesizes very well the plastic, metaphorical and symbolic concerns of Hernández in the mid-seventies.
From the end of the seventies, Hernández’s painting became more baroque, more focused on religious, mythological and classical iconography, with abundant compositions that recall the Greco-Latin past, European classical painting, the imagery of Holy Week. , Mediterranean themes and the symbols related to the Axarquía region in which you live. The same includes in the painting a representation of Michelangelo‘s David, or Venus de Milo, or the Slave of the Louvre, also by Buonarroti, which recreates the theme of Prometheus in chains, the Three Graces or the fall of Icarus. Especially in the production of the nineties, the foreshortenings, the theatrical gestures of the figures and the scenographic inclination abound. Basic geometric shapes, compositional symmetry, frequent references to beloved painters, such as Gutiérrez Solana, vividly contrasted colors, a structure always based on a solid drawing, the presence of religious characters and numerous signs and symbolic elements constitute the main characteristics of Hernández’s style during both last decades of pictorial activity.
Francisco Hernández Díaz.
Melilla (1932) – Vélez-Málaga (2012).
Spanish painter and draftsman.
1932
The third of four boys, he was born on December 18 in the Autonomous City of Melilla. His parents were Vicente Hernández and María Díaz.
1936 – 1939
On the occasion of the outbreak of the Civil War, the father is called up. During this period they continue to live in Melilla. At the end of the war they moved, in July 1939, to Malaga, finally settling in Vélez-Málaga.
1941 – 1942
At the age of ten, he is already beginning to show his ability to draw, using graphite, India ink and charcoal.
1945 – 1949
During these years he made contact with the Trade Union Work Education and Rest of the Provincial Delegation of Trade Unions that promoted provincial art competitions in Malaga. He participates in the 1945 editions: Provincial Exhibition of the Youth Front, for which he receives the First Prize. In this same year, he made the pen series Via Crucis for the Parish Church of Trapiche in Vélez-Málaga. 1947: II Provincial Exhibition of the Youth Front, for which he receives Honorable Mention; 1948: VI Art Exhibition and III Provincial Exhibition of the Youth Front respectively, receiving the Third Prize from the latter. In 1949: VII Provincial Art Exhibition, for which he received the First Medal.
These trips to the city of Malaga allow him to meet prominent painters of the time such as Virgilio Galán, Luis Molledo, whom he would later paint a portrait and which is currently in the Municipal Museum of Malaga; Alfonso de la Torre, José Guevara Castro, Alfonso de Ramón, Pablo García Rizo, etc .; And, in the same way, he knows first-hand works by painters of the stature of Zurbarán, Murillo, Ribera or Alonso Cano installed in the Museum of Fine Arts and in the Cathedral.
1950
Holds his first solo exhibition in Vélez-Málaga, Málaga.
He participates in the collective Veleño Art Exhibition in Malaga for which the jury awards him the First Prize. The second will be for Miguel Montes Ortiz, two third parties for José Muñoz Anglada and Vicente Hernández (his brother), and a fourth for Juan Clavero Molina.
1951
He again participates in the VIII Provincial Art Exhibition in Malaga, for which he receives the First Prize.
1952
He participates in the collective Regional Exhibition of Painting in Malaga, for which he receives the Second Prize.
Likewise, he attends the National Exhibition of Fine Arts held in Madrid.
1953
He volunteered for military service in Madrid, which gave him a first artistic contact with the capital of Spain. It is worth mentioning that the Colonel of the detachment D. Jesús Querejeta Pavón will contribute in his artistic exercise during his stay and this will be reflected in the realization of a mural, whose theme was the Immaculate Conception, within the official enclosure, as well as an easel work.
Participate in the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in Linares, in Jaén.
1954
In January of that year, the Provincial Savings Bank of Malaga gave him a grant to study at the San Fernando School of Fine Arts in Madrid.
In April he celebrates his second solo exhibition at the Malaga Press Club.
In August he participated in the National Fine Arts Contest of Linares, Jaén, for which he received the First Prize for his work El Chopo.
He begins to stand out in his role as a portraitist and, in this sense, it is worth noting the presentation, this year, of the portrait to the Hon. Mr. Ambassador of the Republic of Panama in Madrid, Mr. Alcibíades Arosamena.
Likewise, he participates in the Provincial Art Exhibition First Medals 1942-1954 in Malaga; and at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in Madrid.
He made for the Main Altar of the Church of the Convent of the Franciscans of Vélez-Málaga, central paintings and frieze.
1955
In March he inaugurated a solo exhibition at the Friends of the Country Economic Society in Malaga, the exhibition of which will have a great impact both at the critical level and among the public.
He also participates in the Regional Exhibition of Andalusia held in Malaga, for which he receives the Second Medal.
Likewise, he exhibits in the collective Painters Malagueños, in Granada.
This year, he takes the entrance exam at the San Fernando School of Fine Arts in Madrid. She fails, not because of the drawing, but because of the size of the paper she presents, since it does not comply, by two centimeters, with the standards established by the School.
1956
In May he exhibited his first solo show at the Altamira Gallery in Madrid, whose criticism in ABC newspaper is signed by Mr. José Camón Aznar.
The IV Francisco Hernández Exhibition is held in the Provincial Delegation of Malaga.
Again he takes the entrance exam of the School of Fine Arts of San Fernando and is suitable for study. During this year he attends the classes and presents all the works, approving at the end of it.
1957
This year he abandons academic studies.
Make some murals for the decoration of the new Madrid parish of Santa Micaela.
Participate in the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in Madrid.
He decides to travel around Europe visiting Paris and Frankfurt.
1958
He traveled to Switzerland, residing in Geneva until 1960.
In November he held an exhibition at the Alfil Gallery in Madrid in which the painter Daniel Vázquez Díaz, after his visit, left him a handwritten note expressing his surprise and admiration for the work presented.
1959
During this year he traveled throughout Italy and in Bologna he met the painter Giorgio Morandi. Hernández highlights, after his conversation at his house, the uncertainty that current artistic movements provoke in Morandi.
1960
Hold a solo exhibition at the Mirador Gallery, in Barcelona.
In June, he participated in a group exhibition at the House of the Consulate of Malaga together with Gabriel Alberca, Enrique Brikmann and Eugenio Chicano.
The Savings Bank of the Malaga Provincial Council puts out to tender a project for the realization of a mural, to which the painter will attend with a sketch that will be selected for its execution.
As of this year he fixed his residence in Madrid.
1961
Hold a solo exhibition for Amigos del Arte in Terrassa, Barcelona.
The mural of the Savings Bank of the Malaga Provincial Council finishes.
1962
He exhibits at the San Jorge Gallery in Madrid.
Participates in the I National Exhibition of Plastic Arts in Madrid.
1963
During this year he exhibited at the Friends of the Country Economic Society in Malaga and at the Tartessos Gallery in Torremolinos (Malaga).
He is invited by the Institute of Hispanic Culture to participate in the traveling exhibition Art of America and Spain.
Participates in the II Exhibition of Plastic Arts of Madrid.
1964
On July 16, he married Carmen Escalona Fernández in the Axarquia town of Cómpeta (Malaga).
Holds two individual exhibitions, one at the Afrodísio Aguado Editorial-Bookstore on drawings, in Madrid; and another, in October, at the Grife & Escoda Gallery in Palma de Mallorca.
In December of this year, he finished a mural in the Baptistery of the Competa Parish Church (Málaga) whose theme is the Baptism of Christ.
In the same way, he participates in a group exhibition held at the Virreina Palace in Barcelona.
1965
He is invited to participate in the VIII Biennial of Sao Paulo (Brazil), held between September and November.
He also participates in the Regional Exhibition of Andalusia held in Malaga, for which he receives the Second Medal.
In May their first daughter, María Jesús, was born in Madrid.
1966
Invited by the Institute of Hispanic Culture, he participates representing Spain in the XXXI Venice Biennale (Italy). He exhibits the Triptych of Venice, made exclusively for the exhibition.
He collaborates in the exhibition Current Art of Spain, a traveling exhibition that this time is being held at the Johannesburg and Pretoria Museum (South Africa).
He designs the sets and costumes for the assembly of Miguel de Cervantes‘s play Numancia for the Spanish Theater in Madrid.
1967
He receives the Juan March Prize for Fine Arts in Madrid.
During this year, there are group exhibitions. One, held at the House of Culture in Cuenca and another, New Forms of Spanish Art in Buenos Aires (Argentina).
1968
He is invited to participate in the I International Drawing Contest in Rijeka, former Yugoslavia.
In December their second daughter, Carmen, was born in Madrid.
1969
He participates in the Painting exhibition Pro Monument to Juan Breva in Vélez-Málaga (Malaga), as well as in the IV Provincial Art Exhibition First Medals Education and Rest in Malaga.
During this year he attends the XX Bienal de Sao Paulo, in Brazil; and likewise, to the I International Drawing Contest held in Florence (Italy).
1970
He again participates in the XXXV Venice Biennale, exhibiting in the Special Room of the Spanish Pavilion, for which he receives the International Collective Prize.
An exhibition and film Avant-garde painting in Malaga, organised by the Malaga Provincial Council.
In that year he was awarded the Silver Medal of the Malaga Athenaeum and met the Basque sculptor Jorge Oteiza in Irun.
1971
He takes part in the 1st Marbella Art Biennial (Malaga), selected by José Camón Aznar and Carlos Areán. For this occasion he presents Mirror Venus, a free interpretation of Velázquez‘s painting.
1972
In January he exhibits at the Contemporary Art Gallery in Málaga.
In February he exhibits at the Spanish Museum of Contemporary Art in Madrid.
He painted the mural on the High Altar of the Parish Church of Cómpeta (Málaga) for which the Town Council of this town paid him a popular tribute and dedicated a street with his name.
1973
He is invited to the travelling exhibition Current Art of Spain, held on this occasion at the Kunts Konstall (Sweden). He also takes part in the collective exhibition I Exhibition-Auction of Plastic Arts in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga), as well as in the Giotto Art Gallery with the exhibition Contemporary Spanish Art in Madrid.
He has a solo exhibition at the Punto Gallery in Valencia.
This year, Vélez-Málaga is holding an exhibition-homage to him in which paintings from his youth, that is, from the fifties, are on display: Francisco Hernández, Tribute to his Youth Painting, Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
1974
Throughout the year, he held solo exhibitions at the Ynguanzo Gallery in Madrid; at the Exhibition Hall of the Provincial Savings Bank of Malaga, in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga); and at the Lacayí Gallery in Málaga.
The travelling exhibition Current Art of Spain continues in Brussels (Belgium), Munich (Germany) and Vienna (Austria).
1975
The Luis Gallery in Madrid, presents a Collection in which writers and painters are included. In this case, F. Hernández illustrates the poet Manuel Ríos Ruiz.
In April a group exhibition was inaugurated at the Arteta Gallery in Bilbao entitled Starting from Realism, Last Vanguard (Azken Barriztea) in homage to the Basque painter Enrique Nieto Ulibarri (1891-1963), in which the painter took part.
In October he exhibited in the collective exhibition Of Expressionism and Surrealism held at the Galería Lacayí in Malaga, together with Juan F. Béjar, Enrique Brinkmann, Fernando Calderón, Joaquín de Molina, José Hernández, Pedro Maruna and Francisco Peinado.
In August his third son, Francisco, was born in Malaga.
1976
He takes part in the IV Exhibition-Auction of Plastic Arts in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga); as well as in the collective exhibition Flamenco Art held at the Club Urbis in Madrid.
1977
Solo exhibition of oil paintings at the Kreisler Gallery in Madrid.
He takes part in the collective exhibition Painters from Malaga held in the Carteia Gallery in Algeciras.
He also took part in the Malaga Painters’ Art Exhibition-Auction, organised by the Malaga Provincial Council.
1978
He took part in the group exhibitions New Realism at the Heller Gallery and Andalusian Week at the Betica Room, both in Madrid.
In June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised an exhibition in Moscow entitled Spanish Realism in which three Malaga artists were selected: Juan F. Béjar, Evaristo Guerra and Francisco Hernández. This exhibition did not take place.
Also in November of this year, he took part in the National Art Exhibition organised by the Federation of Radio and Television Associations at the Congress and Exhibition Palace in Madrid, as well as in the 1st Plastic Arts Auction in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
1979
In February he exhibits at the Malacke Gallery in Malaga.
The University of Seville hosts the group exhibition Current Painting in Malaga in which the painter participates.
On 24th March, Vélez-Málaga pays him a popular tribute and dedicates a street with his name.
In the same year he was named Member of Honour of the Flamenco Club Niño de Vélez in the same town.
1980
He is invited by the Institute of Hispanic Culture to the 1st International Drawing Competition held in Mexico.
The Juana Mordó Gallery in Madrid invites you to participate in the collective exhibition Pro-Amnesty International.
He takes part in the collective exhibition Generation of the 50s at the Miramar Artistic Center in Málaga. He also took part in the collective exhibitions Al Andalus in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga); Axarquía 80 Plastic Arts Competition in Torre del Mar (Málaga), and in the one organised by the Malacke Gallery Christmas 80 in Málaga.
In July he holds an exhibition of oil paintings and drawings in the Exhibition Hall of the Ronda Savings Bank in Torre del Mar (Malaga).
He takes up permanent residence in Torre del Mar (Malaga).
1981
Exhibits at the Room of the Provincial Savings Bank of Malaga, in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
He took part in the collective exhibitions held by Manuela Art Gallery in Málaga; Spring 81, I Pablo García Rizo Memorial at the Miramar Artistic Center in Málaga; in the Talia Art Room in Estepona (Málaga); in the Provincial Museum of Malaga on the occasion of the homage to Picasso Málaga y Picasso; in the Exhibition hall of the Malaga Provincial Council Contemporary painting in Málaga; Exhibition-Homage to Pablo Picasso in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga); Auctions of Works of Art in the Diocesan Museum of Málaga; and, lastly, Christmas 81 in the Malacke Gallery in Málaga.
1982
In October he held a retrospective exhibition in the Room of the Central Headquarters of the Provincial Savings Bank of Malaga and in the Economic Society of Friends of the Country in Málaga, whose retrospective runs from 1947 to 1982.
He took part in the group exhibitions Marbella 82 organised by the Delegación de Cultura del Excmo. Ayuntamiento de Marbella (Málaga); in the exhibition Homenaje a Picasso organised by the Diocesan Museum of Malaga; and in the group exhibition Christmas Iconography organised by the same Museum.
In the same year he was appointed member of the María Zambrano Foundation in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
1983
In May he took part in the Exhibition-Auction organised by the association Friends of the Museum for the benefit of the Diocesan Museum of Malaga.
During the month of August he exhibits at the La Alcazaba Urbanization in Marbella (Málaga).
In September, his home town awarded him the Medal of Melilla and an exhibition in the Golden Hall of the Municipal Palace of the Autonomous City of Melilla.
In October, he donated an image of Christ to the Vatican Nuncio in Spain, Monsignor Innocenti.
1984
He is invited to the IV Ibero-American Art Biennial, held in Mexico, representing Spain.
He takes part in the collective exhibition Painters from Malaga held in the Municipal Exhibition Hall in Nerja (Malaga).
1985
At the beginning of the year he held a solo exhibition at the Deppelmann Gallery in Hannover (Germany).
During this year, he painted a mural on the High Altar of the Parish Church of San Juan Bautista in Vélez-Málaga, the theme of which is the Risen Christ and the four Evangelists.
On 26 April of the same year, he was appointed Full Member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Telmo in Malaga.
Travel to New York (USA)
1986
In March he held an exhibition of oil paintings and drawings at the Heller Gallery in Madrid.
Participates in the VI Charity Exhibition-Auction of Works of Art, organised by the Ecma, Muy Ilustre y Venerable Cofradía de Ntro. Padre Jesús Nazareno y María Stma. del Amor de Málaga.
1987
At the beginning of the year, in January, he held an exhibition of drawings on the theme of the Last Supper, featuring Christ and the twelve Apostles, at La Maison Gallery in Malaga.
In April he exhibits again at the Heller Gallery in Madrid with the exhibition The Passion according to Francisco Hernández.
In September of this year, the magazine Art Mail of Madrid awarded him the National Drawing Prize for this collection of thirteen drawings.
He held an exhibition in the Municipal Hall of Nerja and the Town Hall awarded him the Golden Shield of the City of Nerja (Malaga).
In October their fourth daughter, Marta, was born in Malaga.
1988
He takes part in the group exhibition New Realism at the Garduño Gallery in Seville.
He painted a mural on the High Altar of the Parish Church of Miraflores de los Ángeles in Málaga, the subject of which is the Virgin and Child with four singing angels.
1989
He held a solo exhibition in July on the occasion of the inauguration of the Porticus Gallery in Malaga.
The City Council commissioned him to design the poster for the August Fair.
At the end of the year he began a mural in the Parish Church of El Salvador in Nerja (Malaga) on the theme of the Annunciation.
He painted a mural in a private office in Torre del Mar (Malaga), the theme of which is a Mediterranean allegory.
He takes part in the exhibition Homage to Fernando Gil, held at the Marqués de Beniel Palace in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
Published the book Portraits with illustrations and thoughts on different masters of painting. It was published by Art and Culture of Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
He received the Andalusia Prize from Cadena Ser.
1990
During this year, the mural in the Parish Church of El Salvador in Nerja (Malaga) was completed.
He holds a solo exhibition of drawings at the Marqués de Beniel Palace in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
He takes part in the collective exhibition Andalusia in the Figuration held at the Porticus Gallery in Malaga.
In December he took part in the X Biennial City of Zamora, dedicated on this occasion to drawing, presenting Cleopatra for the exhibition.
1991
He painted a mural on the High Altar of the Parish Church of Our Lady of Candelaria in Benagalbón (Málaga), the themes of which are the Nativity, the Presentation of the Child and the Assumption of the Virgin.
Imposition of the Gold Shield of the Autonomous City of Melilla.
He takes part in the group exhibition Pintores Malagueños held at the Civil Government Palace in Malaga.
1992
In April the group exhibition Realism 92 was held at the Porticus Gallery in Malaga.
In July the group exhibition Great Masters: Six Keys to Art in Malaga is presented at the Nova Gallery in Malaga.
He also took part in the collective Expo-Beniel 92, held in the Exhibition Hall of the Marqués de Beniel Palace in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
At the end of the year he had a solo exhibition of drawings with Christmas themes at the Porticus Gallery in Malaga.
He is named Axarquico of Honor by the Axarquia Study Center in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
1993
In May he exhibits at the Post office exhibition hall in Torremolinos (Málaga).
The Malaga City Council commissioned him to design the poster announcing the Malaga Holy Week.
In August, on the occasion of the restoration of the Casa Fuerte de Bezmiliana in Rincón de la Victoria (Málaga) as an exhibition hall, he was invited by the Town Hall to inaugurate it with an exhibition of oil paintings and drawings.
He took part in the group exhibitions, Six Realist Painters from Malaga held at the Civil Government Palace in Malaga; Exhibition of Drawings at the Larrés Castle Drawing Museum in Sabiñánigo (Huesca); VI Autumn Lounge held at the Porticus Gallery in Malaga; and, finally, Exhibition-Auction for the benefit of the Little Sisters of the Poor at the Municipal Archive in Malaga.
1994
In January he held a solo exhibition at the Castelló 120 Gallery in Madrid. Subsequently, he took part in the group exhibition Paintings XIX-XX centuries at the same gallery.
In September, the Nova Gallery in Malaga organised an anthological exhibition of his oil paintings and drawings.
Exhibits in the group exhibition Malaga: Territory for Creation, organised by the Malaga Provincial Council.
In November, the Town Council of Vélez-Málaga named him Adopted Son of the city.
1995
In April, the Tudores Gallery in Marbella (Malaga) organises a solo exhibition of the artist.
He held a solo exhibition at the 16th Cultural Week in Benagalbón (Málaga).
He takes part in the group exhibition Spanish Art in New York, The Artistic Nude organised by the Goya Art Gallery in New York (USA).
Also, in the VIII Autumn Lounge and The Beauty of the Small Format both organised by the Porticus Gallery in Málaga.
1996
He painted a mural in the Chapel of Cristo de los Vigías in the Parish Church of San Juan Bautista in Vélez-Málaga, on the theme of the recumbent Christ.
In the same year, he had a solo exhibition at the Denis Gallery in Malaga.
1997
The President of the Association of Brotherhoods of Malaga, Jesús Saborido, commissioned him to decorate the High Altar and Choir of the Church of San Julián in Málaga. For this purpose, Francisco Hernández painted a series of canvases of scenes of the Crucifixion of Christ on the High Altar and portraits of Saints around the Choir.
In the Malaga Town Hall, the Pablo Ruíz Picasso Foundation‘s Contemporary Art in the Pablo Ruíz Picasso Collection, in which the painter is taking part, is on display in a group exhibition.
In December he took part in the 10th Autumn Lounge organised by the Press Association and the Rural savings bank of Malaga.
1998
On the occasion of the remodelling of the Malaga House of Culture in Compañía street, the city’s Provincial Council commissioned Malaga painters to decorate its facilities. In this case, F. Hernández painted a mural on the theme of the Virgin of the Victory and the Pilgrims.
The City Council of Dresden (Germany) together with the Provincial Council of Malaga, are organising the exhibition Malaga Artists of Today in the German city, in which the painter is taking part.
In the same year, the Malaga Bar Association commissioned him to paint a mural on their premises. The theme was the historic Passage of Solomon.
Francisco Hernández donates to the Dean of Malaga Cathedral, Francisco García Mota, an Annunciation, which is installed in Malaga Cathedral.
He also painted the portrait of Antonio Dorado Soto, Bishop of Malaga, for the Portrait Gallery of the Cathedral.
The Portraits of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain, commissioned by the Town Hall of Velez-Malaga to be placed in the Plenary Hall, are presented in the Porticus Gallery in Malaga.
1999
The Franciscan Congregation of Vélez-Málaga (Málaga) commissioned him to paint a mural in the cloister of the convent. In this case, the theme chosen is the reconquest of the city by the Catholic Monarchs, handing over the keys of the city.
In June, he exhibits his work at the Malaga College of Doctors’ Hall.
He was awarded the Golden Shield by the Town Council of Velez-Malaga (Malaga).
He takes part in the Exhibition of Academic Painters of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Malaga on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary, held in the Exhibition Hall of the Rural Bank of Malaga.
An Audio-Visual projection Notes and Drawings of the Great Masters, which includes the painter, is held in Benalmádena (Málaga).
2000
Commissioned by the Dean of the Cathedral, Francisco García Mota, he made some sketches for the design of the new stained glass windows of Malaga Cathedral. The motifs are based on passages from the Bible.
This year he took part in the collective exhibition Artists in the Classroom in Malaga.
2001
In August he held a solo exhibition at the Exhibition Hall of the Mayor’s Office of Torre del Mar (Málaga).
In October, the Italcable Exhibition Hall of the Unicaja Foundation in Malaga organised an exhibition of his oil paintings.
During this month, he is also exhibiting at the Malaga Bar Association on the occasion of its 225th anniversary.
Participates in International Artexpo held in March at the Jacob. K. Javits Convention Center in New York (USA).
He also took part in the Muestra de Pintores Españoles (Exhibition of Spanish Painters) held in Chicago (USA).
He collaborates in the group exhibition organised by Cultural Scope of El Corte Inglés in Málaga.
Commissioned by the Benalmádena Town Council (Málaga), he made the sketches for the design of the mosaics for the Paseo Marítimo of this town.
2002
Through Monsignor Fabio Fabbri, the Vatican Museum of Modern Art in Rome has accepted the donation of the oil painting Crucifixion of St. Peter by the artist.
In October of this year, he and his wife were received by His Holiness John Paul II at the Vatican (Rome).
He holds the individual exhibition Sentir Cofrade in the Cajamar Exhibition Hall in Malaga as a prelude to Easter Week in Malaga.
He exhibits in the Axarquía Exhibition Hall in Rincón de la Victoria (Málaga).
The oil painting Homage to Manhattan is exhibited in the Association of Brotherhoods of Vélez-Málaga (Málaga) on the occasion of the first anniversary of the attacks in New York (USA).
He takes part in the I International Art Festival of Tokyo 2002 held in June at the Ginza Shorou Gallery of Tokyo (Japan).
2003
Donation of the oil painting Resurrection of Christ to the Museum of Sacred Art in Milan (Italy).
The City Council of Rome (Italy) has organised a solo exhibition of the artist’s work at the Bramante Exhibition Hall in the Basilica of Santa Maria del Poppolo in Rome, which opened in October.
The Real, Muy Ilustre, Venerable y Antigua Hermandad y Cofradía de Nazarenos de Nuestro Padre Jesús del Puente del Cedrón y María Santísima de la Paloma de Málaga, commissioned him to paint a mural for their chapel. On this occasion the theme chosen was the Holy Family.
2004
During the first half of this year, he is immersed in the execution of the mural in the Dome of the Basilica of Our Lady of El Rocío in San Pedro de Alcántara, Marbella (Málaga). It represents The Trinity.
The Exhibition Hall of the Torremolinos Town Hall (Malaga) is holding an anthological exhibition of oil paintings and drawings of the painter.
2005
Solo exhibition in the Exhibition Hall of the Torre del Mar Mayor’s Office (Málaga).
2006
Solo exhibition at the Victorio Manchón Exhibition Hall in the Autonomous City of Melilla.
He takes part in the collective exhibition in favour of the Red Cross organised by the Torre del Mar Mayor’s Office (Málaga).
In March his first grandson Iván Orestes was born in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
2007
Anthological exhibition in the Temporary Hall of the Malaga Municipal Heritage Museum: Francisco Hernández 1945-2007. Between Classicism and Modernity.
He took part in the XX Autumn Lounge, held in the Cajamar Exhibition and Conference Hall in Malaga.
2008
Malaga City Council commissioned him to design the poster for the August Fair.
2009
In February, exhibition of oil paintings and drawings at the Maria Soto Gallery in Torre del Mar (Málaga).
2010
In March, exhibition of oil paintings and drawings in the Exhibition Hall of the Rectorate of the University of Malaga.
During the month of May, exhibition of oil paintings and drawings at the Casa de Vacas del Retiro Cultural Center in Madrid.
In October he inaugurated the new exhibition hall in the Franciscan Convent in Vélez-Málaga, entitled New Forms.
2011
In April, exhibition of oil paintings and drawings in the Temporary Hall of the Malaga Municipal Heritage Museum Francisco Hernández. Of the Pictorial and the Linear.
In June he was named Member of Honour by the Friends of Culture Association de Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
In August, homage from the Town Council of Cómpeta (Málaga) and presentation of the Silver Grape in recognition of his pictorial contribution to the town.
In September he was appointed Corresponding Academician of the European Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters in Paris (France).
In December, group exhibition Plastic Artists of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Telmo in the Cajamar Exhibition and Conference Room in Málaga.
2012
In January, homage from the Town Council of Algarrobo (Malaga), with an Honourable Mention in the III Edition of Algarrobo Regional Honorary Distinctions.
On the 5th of April he died in Torre del Mar (Malaga) at the age of 80.
At the beginning of September his work was exhibited in the collective exhibition Malacitan Masters of the 20th Century, held at the Cajamar Exhibition and Conference Room in Málaga.
In November, dedication of a street in the Autonomous City of Melilla.
In December he received a posthumous tribute from the Brotherhood of the Santísimo Cristo de los Vigías and Nuestra Señora del Mayor Dolor de Vélez-Málaga (Málaga), in the Holy Week Museum of that city.
2013
Exhibition Absent Art in the Exhibition Hall of the Convent of San Francisco in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
Inauguration of the Francisco Hernández Contemporary Art Centre with an anthology entitled Total Painter in Vélez-Málaga (Málaga).
