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José Holguera

Engraving and Stamping Studio

Traditional

José Holguera

José Holguera, who has been in love both with his hometown, León, as well as with design since he was a child, discovered the art of “grabado” (engraving) during his studies at the School of Fine Arts of León. In his tiny studio, located in the crossroads of Saint James Way with the historical center of León, he carries out his work in the same traditional way as previous generations did for centuries. This work is heavily influenced by the fields of Architecture, Religion, Nature, Don Quixote or Saint James Way itself. He also enjoys engaging with other artists to develop enthusiastic collaborations.

Feel welcome to discover just a small portion of his work and you will surely perceive how he is able to instill a singular essence in each of his compositions.

The engraving

The Engraving

The engraving is an artistic discipline in which the creator combines different techniques, such as the drawing and the carving of an image on a solid surface, called the matrix,

in which then ink will be poured and, later on, the design will be printed on paper.

The Process of Creation

THE DESIGN: Every step of the process is complex and necessary for an optimal final result. The first one, i.e. the drawing, is crucial, as it will provide the guidelines for the subsequent steps. Still, it is not a simple matter of designing, but also a previous step of study and analysis of the original object is required.

THE ENGRAVING: The sketch is carved on a rigid support – traditionally wood and copper, more recently zinc – by using a burin, other sharp tools and acid. Each trace will become a groove on the metal sheet, so they must be accurate, constant and cleans. These traces will eventually create an inverted image of the sketch.

THE STAMPING:The stamping is the last step of the process and it is generally divided in three phases. First, the paper to be printed is moistened. Secondly, the ink is introduced in the grooves of the metal sheet. Finally, by using a rolling press, the engraving is stamped.After this, the stamped creations need to “sleep” between sheets of blotting paper to ensure the paper fibers return to their original dry state and an optimal result is obtained.

Ver la obra completa

Critics

The master José Holguera converts simplicity in a virtue each time he designs, carves and stamps again and again to reach perfection and beauty in every single of his works. He is a referent of effort and honesty. I very much recommend getting to know him and his work

Román Blanco Reinosa, Civil engineer. Pontevedra.

Together with José Holguera I have carried out the Project entitled Un bosque de azules pendientes. It has been an enormous pleasure to work with someone capable of translating my texts in amazing engravings. It definitely was a wise choice to work together.

José María Alonso, lawyer, writer and photographer from León. (Project: Un bosque de azules pendientes).

José Holguera, an astounding artist of the traditional engraving, gives you the opportunity to walk among collections of sacred art without moving. He sends us a new vision of inspiration and joy.
Máximo Gómez Rascón, Director of Leon Diocese’s Heritage.

José Holguera García is an extraordinary engraving master. His creativity and talent are demonstrated by his pieces of work, elaborated with infinite patience and then translated into dazzling images. On his own initiative, in February 2016, in the Palat del Rey Church – the exhibition area of Leon’s Diocese – some texts I had written were used for his excellent exposition “La Pulchra en el Camino de Santiago”, as singular as interesting. This collaboration was an enlightening adventure. That is how I felt back then and how I feel it now.

Máximo Cayón Diéguez. Official chronicler of León.

José Holguera is one of the few people that have been around the places, ways and locations where Rocinante put his hoof. After engraving Saint James Way, his always sharpened burin wants to show us his own interpretation of the marvelous Cervantes’ tale: reality, fiction and abstraction of the memorable Knight of the Rueful Countenance adventures from a great Leon’s designer and engraver, to whom I have served as guide around La Mancha of Don Quixote.

Luis Miguel Román Alhambra. Writer and columnist specialized in Cervantes work. President of Alcázar de San Juan Society, dedicated to Cervantes.

There are events in your life that you are not looking for, but that just happen and make you change your percepction of life. In my case, that event is called José Holguera. While I was living surrounded by a general mood of “whatever”, I found a person who searches perfection, creating images full of love and humbly sharing wisdom.

Javier Puente Grande. Abbot of the Brotherhood of Minerva y Veracruz (founded in León in 1612), for the 2012-2013 period.