Portrait of Benito Juarez: The Restorer of The Republic and Worthy of The Americas - Google Arts & Culture (2024)

Retrato caligrafiado con la biografía de Benito Juárez, restaurador de la República y Benemérito de las Américas (1957) by Recinto Homenaje a Don Benito JuárezArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Known as the "Worthy of the Americas,” Benito Juarez was born in 1806 in Oaxaca and was Mexico’s president on repeated occasions. He sought to build a new country based on laws and ideals that sought to heal national wounds and end the deep inequalities that survived since the colonial period. He fought to take power away from the military, clergy, and landowners.

His actions earned Juarez a predominant place in the annals of Mexican history. His origins, his heroic deed, and the myths have made him into an important figure that lives in the collective imagination of the country. This document is a testament to this, as it was made to celebrate the inauguration of his monument called "Recinto Homenaje a Don Benito Juarez," which is now a cultural space located within the Palacio Nacional.

The cover shows the portrait of this national hero, made by E. F. de Lizardi, who made it based on the manuscript of Juarez' autobiography titled, "Notes for my Children" and detailed chronicles of his funeral made on July 22, 1877.

With the help of a magnifying glass we can read the story of Juarez' life. The text highlights his critical and liberal beliefs that he maintained until the last days of his life.

Near his brows we can see the words "freedom" and "death." The fringe that crosses his eyes are covered in symbols that are a reference to the great generals of the republic.

This reproduction was made as a gift to the site and it was made and retouched by Ernesto Hernández G. in 1957.

Retrato caligrafiado con la biografía de Benito Juárez, restaurador de la República y Benemérito de las Américas (1957) by Recinto Homenaje a Don Benito JuárezArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Inside the booklet we find biographical notes were also inscribed. These notes respect the original spelling and style.

Once again the words "freedom" and "death" appear.

Retrato caligrafiado con la biografía de Benito Juárez, restaurador de la República y Benemérito de las Américas (1957) by Recinto Homenaje a Don Benito JuárezArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

His last moments and his funeral were also narrated and illustrated with a lithography that reads, “The body of Juarez now rests. In his memory shall the history of America live forever."

and it even includes a sketch of the house where Don Benito Juarez used to live

The house was located in the mountain of Ixtlan, in the town of Guelatao, Oaxaca, which today is known as Guelatao de Juarez.

Retrato caligrafiado con la biografía de Benito Juárez, restaurador de la República y Benemérito de las Américas (1957) by Recinto Homenaje a Don Benito JuárezArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Lastly, there are also images that show the monument, which was built and inaugurated by the then president, Adolfo Ruiz Cortines, and documents and personal items once belonging to Don Benito Juarez.