Drawing San Elizario by Jose Cisneros

The drawing by Jose Cisneros shows San Elizario, with two soldiers in front. San Elizario Mission, located in the town of San Elizario, was founded by the Spanish in 1789 as a presidio or fort for Mexican troops stationed in the Mission Valley. U.S. troops were assigned to the presidio in 1850 and during the Civil War volunteers from California were stationed there to prevent a reoccupation of the area by Confederate forces. The present Chapel of San Elizario was constructed in 1877 to replace the original chapel that had been destroyed by a flood. The one-story chapel is built in the traditional Spanish Mission style. Today, San Elizario Parish has 470 registered families. Jose Cisneros (1919-2009) was an illustrator and historian. He gained international reputation with pen-and-ink illustrations of Mexican, American and Spanish history. Born in Villa Ocampo, Durango, in 1910, the family was forced to leave Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and eventually settled in El Paso-Juárez in 1925. Cisneros taught himself to read, write, draw and paint. He dropped out of the Lydia Patterson Institute after 5th grade to work in a grocery store to support his family. He then worked in a department store where he met his wife Vicenta, with whom he had five daughters. He enlisted in the Army and painted buses for El Paso Electric Co. and El Paso City Lines. At night, he worked in his studio. Although Cisneros experienced cruelty and many setbacks during his childhood, these personal memories did not shape his artistic vision. Instead, he focused on centuries-old subjects: Color-blind since birth, Cisneros illustrated more than 300 historical books and publications. Stories of the United States-Mexico border and the Southwest burst alive with Cisneros' touch and meticulous attention to detail. His favorite subjects were pen-and-ink drawings of horses and Spanish horsemen. He is regarded as a legend for his sketches of Spanish conquistadores, Franciscan missionaries, frontier settlers and Apache warriors. For example, he drew Juan de Onate and the historic missions San Elizario and Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (they can be viewed on the Digital Wall database as well). Cisnero is regarded as essential in bringing Southwestern history alive and in commemorating it. He won numerous awards; among them the National Humanities Medal for his work as an artist and historian (awarded by President Bush in 2002), and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Wrangler Award in 1985 for his book, "Riders Across the Centuries." Cisneros was also given Mexico's Ohtli award, which is presented to a person whose efforts improve the lives of Mexican nationals living abroad. In 1991, King Juan Carlos of Spain knighted Cisneros for his contribution to the understanding of history through his art. Timid about speaking in public, Cisneros was a devout Catholic who went to Mass daily. The El Paso artist Tom Lea was one of his friends, and he also advised John Houser, creator of "The Equestrian" sculpture at El Paso International Airport. Colleagues, collectors and political leaders have named him one of the most influential artists ever to emerge from the Southwest. The modest, disciplined and humanitarian artist died with 99 years of age in El Paso. Sources: http://www.elpasotimes.com/insideelpaso/ci13377449 http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci13792913

Area: Mission Valley / San Elizario

Source: C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso Library. Collection Name: MS241 Jose Cisneros. Photo ID:San Elizario.

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Nuestra Señora by Jose Cisneros

The drawing by Jose Cisneros is called Nuestra Señora. It shows the Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe, situated in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. It shows a missionary (probably Fray Garcia de San Francisco), a Manso Indian Boy and a soldier in front of the Mission. The mission was founded by Fray Garcia de San Francisco. He came from Spain to the New World in 1629 and established the mission in 1659, among the Manso Indians at the Pass of the North, a strategic location along the trade route El Camino Real. Three years later, a new church replaced the provisional oratory and 100 natives were baptized that day. After 12 years at the Pass, Fray Garcia returned to minister among the Piro Indians of Senecu Mission, near modern Socorro, New Mexico, until his death on January 22, 1673. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the oldest mission in the Mission Valley. To the travelers along the Camino Real it was an important stop for food and rest. During the 1680 Pueblo Revolt in New Mexico, over 2500 Spanish refugees and displaced Indians received food and shelter at the mission. Until 1692, the pass of the North was the most northern outpost in colonial Spain in the New World. The mission is solely constructed of adobe. Its architecture is marked by Spanish and Indian elements. It was restored several times. The illustrator and historian Jose Cisneros (1910-2009) was famous for pen-and-ink illustrations of Mexican, American and Spanish history. Stories of the United States-Mexico border and the Southwest burst alive with Cisneros' touch and meticulous attention to detail. His favorite subjects were pen-and-ink drawings of horses and Spanish horsemen. He is regarded as a legend for his sketches of Spanish conquistadores, Franciscan missionaries, frontier settlers and Apache warriors. For example, he drew Juan de Oñate and the historic missions San Elizario and Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (they can be viewed on the Digital Wall database as well).

Area: Out of Area / Ciudad Juarez

Source: C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso Library. Collection Name: MS241 Jose Cisneros. Photo ID: Nuestra Senora.

Uploaded by: UTEP Library Special Collections

Ranchero by Jose Cisneros

The heading says: "To Bobby Ray Inman, on his visit to the University of Texas at El Paso - December 19, 1986. The picture was drawn by Jose Cisneros. It shows a ranger around 1820 at El Paso del Norte (now Ciudad Juarez). Jose Cisneros (1919-2009) was an illustrator and historian. He gained international reputation with pen-and-ink illustrations of Mexican, American and Spanish history. Born in Villa Ocampo, Durango, in 1910, the family was forced to leave Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and eventually settled in El Paso-Juárez in 1925. Cisneros taught himself to read, write, draw and paint. He dropped out of the Lydia Patterson Institute after 5th grade to work in a grocery store to support his family. He then worked in a department store where he met his wife Vicenta, with whom he had five daughters. He enlisted in the Army and painted buses for El Paso Electric Co. and El Paso City Lines. At night, he worked in his studio. Although Cisneros experienced cruelty and many setbacks during his childhood, these personal memories did not shape his artistic vision. Instead, he focused on centuries-old subjects: Color-blind since birth, Cisneros illustrated more than 300 historical books and publications. Stories of the United States-Mexico border and the Southwest burst alive with Cisneros' touch and meticulous attention to detail. His favorite subjects were pen-and-ink drawings of horses and Spanish horsemen. He is regarded as a legend for his sketches of Spanish conquistadores, Franciscan missionaries, frontier settlers and Apache warriors. For example, he drew Juan de Onate and the historic missions San Elizario and Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (they can be viewed on the Digital Wall database as well). Cisnero is regarded as essential in bringing Southwestern history alive and in commemorating it. He won numerous awards; among them the National Humanities Medal for his work as an artist and historian (awarded by President Bush in 2002), and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Wrangler Award in 1985 for his book, "Riders Across the Centuries." Cisneros was also given Mexico's Ohtli award, which is presented to a person whose efforts improve the lives of Mexican nationals living abroad. In 1991, King Juan Carlos of Spain knighted Cisneros for his contribution to the understanding of history through his art. Timid about speaking in public, Cisneros was a devout Catholic who went to Mass daily. The El Paso artist Tom Lea was one of his friends, and he also advised John Houser, creator of "The Equestrian" sculpture at El Paso International Airport. Colleagues, collectors and political leaders have named him one of the most influential artists ever to emerge from the Southwest. The modest, disciplined and humanitarian artist died with 99 years of age in El Paso. Sources: http://www.elpasotimes.com/insideelpaso/ci_13377449 http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_13792913

Area: Out of Area / Ciudad Juarez

Source: C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso Library. Collection Name: MS241 Jose Cisneros. Photo ID: ranchero.

Uploaded by: UTEP Library Special Collections

El Adelantado Dn. Juan de Oñate, by Cisneros

Subject: Juan de Oñate is on horseback, in profile, with his right arm raised holding a vara de mando. An Indian man is portrayed walking at the horse's right shoulder. Behind the figures is a yucca plant. The drawing by Jose Cisneros dates from 1987. Oñate is regarded as the founder of the first European settlement west of the Mississippi and celebrator of the first American Thanksgiving in 1598 on the Rio Grande. Today, his figure is in dispute because of his savageries and his brutality, especially against Native Americans. Jose Cisneros (1919-2009) was an illustrator and historian. He gained international reputation with pen-and-ink illustrations of Mexican, American and Spanish history. Born in Villa Ocampo, Durango, in 1910, the family was forced to leave Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and eventually settled in El Paso-Juárez in 1925. Cisneros taught himself to read, write, draw and paint. He dropped out of the Lydia Patterson Institute after 5th grade to work in a grocery store to support his family. He then worked in a department store where he met his wife Vicenta, with whom he had five daughters. He enlisted in the Army and painted buses for El Paso Electric Co. and El Paso City Lines. At night, he worked in his studio. Although Cisneros experienced cruelty and many setbacks during his childhood, these personal memories did not shape his artistic vision. Instead, he focused on centuries-old subjects: Color-blind since birth, Cisneros illustrated more than 300 historical books and publications. Stories of the United States-Mexico border and the Southwest burst alive with Cisneros' touch and meticulous attention to detail. His favorite subjects were pen-and-ink drawings of horses and Spanish horsemen. He is regarded as a legend for his sketches of Spanish conquistadores, Franciscan missionaries, frontier settlers and Apache warriors. For example, he drew Juan de Oñate and the historic missions San Elizario and Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (they can be viewed on the Digital Wall database as well). Cisnero is regarded as essential in bringing Southwestern history alive and in commemorating it. He won numerous awards; among them the National Humanities Medal for his work as an artist and historian (awarded by President Bush in 2002), and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Wrangler Award in 1985 for his book, "Riders Across the Centuries". Cisneros was also given Mexico's Ohtli award, which is presented to a person whose efforts improve the lives of Mexican nationals living abroad. In 1991, King Juan Carlos of Spain knighted Cisneros for his contribution to the understanding of history through his art. Timid about speaking in public, Cisneros was a devout Catholic who went to Mass daily. The El Paso artist Tom Lea was one of his friends, and he also advised John Houser, creator of "The Equestrian" sculpture at El Paso International Airport. Colleagues, collectors and political leaders have named him one of the most influential artists ever to emerge from the Southwest. The modest, disciplined and humanitarian artist died with 99 years of age in El Paso. Sources: http://www.elpasotimes.com/insideelpaso/ci13377449 http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci13792913

Creator: Jose Cisneros

Area: Out of Area / Ciudad Juarez

Source: C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso Library. Collection Name: MS241 Jose Cisneros. Photo ID: Juan - notFramed.

Uploaded by: UTEP Library Special Collections

Juan de Oñate by Jose Cisneros

The image shows a drawing of Juan de Oñate by Jose Cisneros. Oñate is regarded as the founder of the first European settlement west of the Mississippi and celebrator of the first American Thanksgiving in 1598 on the Rio Grande. Today, his figure is in dispute because of his savageries and his brutality, especially against Native Americans. Jose Cisneros (1919-2009) was an illustrator and historian. He gained international reputation with pen-and-ink illustrations of Mexican, American and Spanish history. Born in Villa Ocampo, Durango, in 1910, the family was forced to leave Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and eventually settled in El Paso-Juárez in 1925. Cisneros taught himself to read, write, draw and paint. He dropped out of the Lydia Patterson Institute after 5th grade to work in a grocery store to support his family. He then worked in a department store where he met his wife Vicenta, with whom he had five daughters. He enlisted in the Army and painted buses for El Paso Electric Co. and El Paso City Lines. At night, he worked in his studio. Although Cisneros experienced cruelty and many setbacks during his childhood, these personal memories did not shape his artistic vision. Instead, he focused on centuries-old subjects: Color-blind since birth, Cisneros illustrated more than 300 historical books and publications. Stories of the United States-Mexico border and the Southwest burst alive with Cisneros' touch and meticulous attention to detail. His favorite subjects were pen-and-ink drawings of horses and Spanish horsemen. He is regarded as a legend for his sketches of Spanish conquistadores, Franciscan missionaries, frontier settlers and Apache warriors. For example, he drew Juan de Onate and the historic missions San Elizario and Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (they can be viewed on the Digital Wall database as well). Cisnero is regarded as essential in bringing Southwestern history alive and in commemorating it. He won numerous awards; among them the National Humanities Medal for his work as an artist and historian (awarded by President Bush in 2002), and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Wrangler Award in 1985 for his book, "Riders Across the Centuries." Cisneros was also given Mexico's Ohtli award, which is presented to a person whose efforts improve the lives of Mexican nationals living abroad. In 1991, King Juan Carlos of Spain knighted Cisneros for his contribution to the understanding of history through his art. Timid about speaking in public, Cisneros was a devout Catholic who went to Mass daily. The El Paso artist Tom Lea was one of his friends, and he also advised John Houser, creator of "The Equestrian" sculpture at El Paso International Airport. Colleagues, collectors and political leaders have named him one of the most influential artists ever to emerge from the Southwest. The modest, disciplined and humanitarian artist died with 99 years of age in El Paso. Sources: http://www.elpasotimes.com/insideelpaso/ci13377449 http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci13792913

Area: Out of Area / Ciudad Juarez

Source: C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso Library. Collection Name: MS241 Jose Cisneros. Photo ID: Juan de Onate.

Uploaded by: UTEP Library Special Collections

Jose Cisneros

Jose Cisneros (1919-2009) was an illustrator and historian. He gained international reputation with pen-and-ink illustrations of Mexican, American and Spanish history. Born in Villa Ocampo, Durango, in 1910, the family was forced to leave Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and eventually settled in El Paso-Juárez in 1925. Cisneros taught himself to read, write, draw and paint. He dropped out of the Lydia Patterson Institute after 5th grade to work in a grocery store to support his family. He then worked in a department store where he met his wife Vicenta, with whom he had five daughters. He enlisted in the Army and painted buses for El Paso Electric Co. and El Paso City Lines. At night, he worked in his studio. Although Cisneros experienced cruelty and many setbacks during his childhood, these personal memories did not shape his artistic vision. Instead, he focused on centuries-old subjects: Color-blind since birth, Cisneros illustrated more than 300 historical books and publications. Stories of the United States-Mexico border and the Southwest burst alive with Cisneros' touch and meticulous attention to detail. His favorite subjects were pen-and-ink drawings of horses and Spanish horsemen. He is regarded as a legend for his sketches of Spanish conquistadores, Franciscan missionaries, frontier settlers and Apache warriors. For example, he drew Juan de Onate and the historic missions San Elizario and Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (they can be viewed on the Digital Wall database as well). Cisnero is regarded as essential in bringing Southwestern history alive and in commemorating it. He won numerous awards; among them the National Humanities Medal for his work as an artist and historian (awarded by President Bush in 2002), and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Wrangler Award in 1985 for his book, "Riders Across the Centuries." Cisneros was also given Mexico's Ohtli award, which is presented to a person whose efforts improve the lives of Mexican nationals living abroad. In 1991, King Juan Carlos of Spain knighted Cisneros for his contribution to the understanding of history through his art. Timid about speaking in public, Cisneros was a devout Catholic who went to Mass daily. The El Paso artist Tom Lea was one of his friends, and he also advised John Houser, creator of "The Equestrian" sculpture at El Paso International Airport. Colleagues, collectors and political leaders have named him one of the most influential artists ever to emerge from the Southwest. The modest, disciplined and humanitarian artist died with 99 years of age in El Paso. Sources: http://www.elpasotimes.com/insideelpaso/ci_13377449 http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_13792913

Area: Central / Downtown

Source: C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso Library. Collection Name: MS241 Jose Cisneros. Photo ID: cisneros3.

Uploaded by: UTEP Library Special Collections