María Izquierdo (San Juan de los Lagos, 1909 - Mexico City, 1955), whose name was María Cenobia Izquierdo Gutiérrez, was one of Mexico's most prominent painters of the 20th century. Her work reflected her experience as a woman, uniquely using space, form, color, and cultural symbolism. After separating from her husband, she moved to Mexico City and studied at the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes (National School of Fine Arts) under the mentorship of Germán Gedovius. 

Her first exhibition was in 1929, and shortly after, she showcased her work at the Arts Center in New York. She was the partner and collaborator of Rufino Tamayo, with whom she shared artistic influences in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly in her themes, palette, and formal explorations linked to metaphysical painting and children's art. In 1936, she incorporated elements of surrealism into her work after meeting poet Antonin Artaud. 

From these experiences, it is evident that her work reflects a connection between the avant-garde and popular culture. Additionally, she was a cultural manager, critic, and political activist, facing obstacles within the male-dominated art system, such as when she was prevented from painting murals at the City Hall of Mexico City in 1945. Despite these challenges, her legacy has inspired generations of artists, especially in the areas of gender and social positions.