Felipe Castaneda (Mexican, b. 1933), Reclining Nude, 1973
White onyx on wood base. Signed F. Castaneda 1973 (on back of foot).
Note: Similar example in salon of Francois Catroux at L'Olympic Tower, New York. Francois Catroux was a glamorous designer for the Rothschilds, Russian oligarchs, Greek and Arab princesses, fashion designers, media moguls and South American billionaires.
Ht. 9 3/4 x W 26 1/2 x D 11 3/4 in.

Felipe Castaneda (Mexican, b. 1933)
Mexican artist Felipe Castaneda was born in Michoacan, Mexico. He is an internationally renowned sculptor and his exhibits have been held in the United States, Mexico and Europe. In 1958 he took classes in drawing, modeling, carving and constructive drawing. He absorbed knowledge very quickly and was adept at carving and sculpting.
In 1962, he married his wife Martha and he began working for the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. It was at this time that Castaneda became assistant to Francisco Zuniga, a world renown sculptor. By 1966, Felipe Castaneda was able to mold plaster and clay for sculptures perfectly. Castenada set out on a path to perfect his ability to create stone sculptures. His early training with Zuniga made Castaneda the sculptor he is today.
Castaneda creates sculptures in marble, onyx and bronze. His concentration is the female form. The subject of women is the center of his creativity...wife, mother, lover, friend. He depicts her kneeling, standing, sitting, reclining, and stretching - capturing all her moods. Each of the women Castaneda creates is mysterious and provocative. They have perfect proportions owing to his profound knowledge of human anatomy. His sculptures are executed in the Greco-Roman style of beauty. His marble and onyx figures, when completed, gleam like polished jewels.