Tribute to Arturo Suárez García, San Miguel de Allende photographer of the 1900s

Published November 19, 2022

In the 1900s the daily life of San Miguel de Allende was portrayed by Arturo Suárez García, a photographer who was honored yesterday for the important photographic legacy he made for 50 years.

Before the tourism sector, relatives and acquaintances of this great photographer, who died at the age of 91 after the arrival of the new millennium, the work of this artist – who possessed a great talent and artistic eye – was recognized, which was reflected in the “Book San Miguel de Allende in the Gaze of Arturo Suárez García”.

“This work by Arturo is a very particular selection. Being with you sharing the work of Don Arturo and paying tribute to him for that love and professionalism he carried out for so many years, fills us with pride. These photographs transport us to historical moments of San Miguel de Allende that, today, we keep in our hearts,” said Juan José Álvarez Brunel, Secretary of Tourism of the State of Guanajuato.

In October, Governor Diego Sinhue Rodríguez Vallejo and teacher Álvarez Brunel presented the Book Collection “Vive Grandes Historias”, in León, and this copy of Arturo Suárez is part of this project that writes the culture, history, identity, transcendence and legacy of the State, which promoted the State Government through the SECTUR.

“Carrying out this ambitious editorial study has been possible thanks to the commitment and vision of the State Government through the management, unconditional support, historical sensitivity, social and cultural perspective of Juan José Álvarez Brunel,” said Graciela Cruz López, coordinator of the Book San Miguel de Allende in the Gaze of Arturo Suárez García, photographer,

“What we present today in this book is a sum of efforts, wills, knowledge and long and satisfactory days of work that translate into an irreplaceable learning process,” added Cruz López.

Arturo Suárez portrayed the 4 directions and the most significant perspectives of the city that, without a doubt, has changed its form, but not its essence and spirit. The images show the historic San Miguel de Allende and the contemporary San Miguel de Allende, between what was and what it is now.

“At that time, with a camera like the one he used, there was only one opportunity to take each of these photographs; even, some of them, required two to three years to consolidate, because they did not have the necessary conditions, “said Eric Suárez Oliden, descendant and owner of the Arturo Suárez García Photographic Collection.

This great photographer was the son of an important merchant of that time. Don Arturo was so impressed with the photographic process after taking a couple of portraits and became one of the first photographers in the city and, years later, a master of Fine Arts.

“With this book we honor the people, we honor the history and Cultural Heritage of San Miguel de Allende; and just recognition of the transcendence of Arturo Suárez García, whose art, wisdom and heritage we share with the world, “concluded, Tania Castillo de la Peña, director of Tourism of San Miguel de Allende.

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