Carlos Mérida was born on December 2, 1891, in Guatemala. From 1910 to 1914, Mérida traveled in Europe studying art and mixing with avant-garde artists. He returned to Guatemala in 1914 and had his first one-man show. Inspired by the revolution in Mexico, Mérida traveled there are became involved in the country’s mural-painting renaissance where he created many of his best works. He died in 1984.