Description
The Tonatiúh and Electra Gutiérrez
collection of maps and images of the Americas spans more than three centuries and includes
maps of North and South America, several world maps, and iconography of life, fauna and
rituals in the Americas. It was assembled by the Gutiérrezes as they researched the early
history and exploration of the Americas.
Background
Tonatiúh Gutiérrez was the son of a high Mexican government official who served during the
years of President Lázaro Cárdenas. An Olympic swimmer in his youth, Gutiérrez became a
professor of economics at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), as well as
promoter of the popular and traditional arts. During the 1960s he was the director of
expositions of the National Tourist Council of Mexico, and in the 1970s served as the head
of the Fideicomiso para el Fomento de las Artesanías (later known as Fondo Nacional para el
Fomento de Artesanías, FONART), an important state trust for the promotion of folk art.
Electra López Mompradé de Gutiérrez was the daughter of Spanish republicans exiled to Mexico
in 1939. She became an expert in pre-Columbian dance and dress and Mexican culture and
history. The couple lived in the district of Coyoacán in Mexico City until Gutiérrez's death
after which Mompradé moved to Spain.
Extent
42.48 Linear Feet
(24 boxes, 20 flatfile folders)
Restrictions
Contact Library Reproductions
and Permissions.
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers.