Internationally renowned artist Rafael Coronel died today at age 87. His death was announced by his family and confirmed by governor of Zacatecas (Mexico), Alejandro Tello.

Coronel was born in the capital of Zacatecas in 1932. A few years later he moved to Mexico City, where he studied at the Escuela Nacional de Pintura, Escultura, y Grabado also known as ‘La Esmeralda’.

Known for his melencholic, representational paintings, often depicting floating heads referencing great masters from the past, his work has been exhibited in venues such as the Museo del Palacio de Bellas Arte in Mexico City and museums around the world, in cities such as Sao Paulo, New York, Milan and Brussels.