Alfonso Arana

Biography

Alfonso Meléndez Arana was born on March 31, 1927, in New York City to a Mexican-Puerto Rican family. In his youth, Arana pursued painting and received artistic education at several prestigious institutions. He studied in Mexico at the Atelier José Bardasano and also attended the Manhattan School of Arts in New York. Later, he continued his studies in France at the Académie Julian and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Additionally, he completed postgraduate training at American University in Washington, D.C. As both a painter and sculptor, Arana connected his works to the American cultural tradition. He died on November 18, 2005, in Paris.