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Pantaleon Panduro was born in Tlaquepaque Jalisco on July 26th 1847. Gifted with an amazing talent to sculpt clay he created human figurines and busts with extreme realism.
Pantaleon never received any formal instruction but his natural talent granted him with international recognition. Thanks to Pantaleon pioneer work Tlaquepaque crafters, already known for their utilitarian ceramic became clay sculptors which eventually created a new tradition in the village.
The Spaniards conquered Tonala kingdom in 1530; Tlaquepaque was then renamed San Pedro and became one of the biggest tile and brick making centers in the colony.
Ever since Tlaquepaque has been the most prolific pottery center in the country and until Pantaleon Panduro's clay figurines and busts became internationally known all the pottery made in the village had utilitarian purposes.
After Mexico's Independence from Spain was consummated; the country became a favorite place to be visited by European travelers and Guadalajara was always a stop point for those travelers.
As Pantaleon Panduro fame expanded his workshop was included in traveling guides about Mexico and he was visited by all kind of personalities that wanted their clay bust made by the artist.
Spanish journalist Ventura Reyes y Zavala wrote about Panduro "If a European Professor would come and see him working with clay, take him to Europe and give him proper instruction he could become a famous artist there".
A lot of legends are told about Pantaleon Panduro; one of the best known tells about President Porfirio Diaz visit to Guadalajara, and how Panduro who was invited to a meal in the President's honor made a bust of Diaz.
Someone saw Panduro working and told Porfirio Diaz about it, Diaz called him and was so surprised with the bust that he granted Panduro anything he would ask for. Panduro asked to be Mexico's president and Diaz let him be for an hour.
Other variations say Panduro went to Mexico City to give Diaz the completed bust and then the President offer him to be instructed in Europe but Panduro refused to leave his town.
Whatever the real story was, Pantaleon made a Porfirio Diaz bust that nowadays belongs to a private collection.
People from Tlaquepaque called Panduro El Brujo (the wizard) because he could make clay talk. Pantaleon had eleven children that helped him on the workshop and by the time he passed away on August 9th 1909, his clay sculpting; had already become a tradition.
Margarito's most recognized work is the collection of figurines with the 66 Presidents of Mexico. He also makes collections of figurines of traditional professions such as mailmen and flowers and vegetables vendors.
Daughter Pilar Nunez Hernandez helps his father at the workshop and is in charge of promoting his artwork. In 2006 she won a special prize in the National Ceramic Contest.
Felipe Tornero RamosThe contest was first held in 1977 and it is the most renowned on its kind around the country. The contest includes 9 categories, a special award given by the President and a special award named Pantaleon Panduro.
The museum also holds temporary exhibits and has shop that features regional pottery.
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