Juan Carlos Colombres
Encyclopedia
Juan Carlos Colombres is an Argentine caricaturist and humorist whose work has illustrated articles and editorials in a number of the nation's leading periodicals. He contributions appear under the byline of Landrú.
in 1923. His father's family were prominent in Tucumán Province
, where in 1821 Bishop José Colombres
introduced sugarcane
. He took an early interest in both drawing
and irony
, and in 1939, created Génesis Novísimo, his illustrated alternative to the Book of Genesis. He began his career in journalism in 1945 as a commentator and editorial cartoonist for Don Fulgencio, directed at the time by Lino Palacio. He also became a frequent contributor to other comic book
s, including Dante Quinterno
's regionalist
Patoruzú
and Guillermo Divito
's Rico Tipo
("Rich Guy"). Colombres married the former Margarita Miche in 1946, and they had two children.
Colombres joined Jorge Palacio (Lino Palacio's son) in a recently-established satirical magazine, Cascabel ("Rattle"), in 1947. Cascabel became known for its daring political humor during an era of growing press censorship in Argentina, and in particular for Colombres' parodies of high-powered figures in business and government. Perhaps the best known were his depictions of President Juan Perón
, who was portrayed in full military regalia and a large pear
for a head. The pun
, which played on the similarity between the name Perón and the Spanish word pera, prompted Jorge Palacio (who wrote under the nom-de-plume of Faruk) to urge Colombres to also adopt a pseudonym. Asked for suggestions by Colombres, Palacio remarked that the satirist, who at the time wore a goatee
, resembled the French serial killer Henri Désiré Landru
("Bluebeard," or as he is known in Argentina: "Landrú").
Colombres earned a gold medal from the Argentine Illustrators' Association in 1948, and a Clarín Award in 1954. Extending his satirical reach beyond print, he also led Jacinto W. y sus Tururú Serenaders, a 1958 musical group created as a parody of the Doo-wop
ensembles popular at the time.
His illustrations appeared in a large number of Argentine publications at the time, notably in El Gráfico
and El Mundo. He established a satirical publication, Tía Vicenta, with fellow caricaturist Oski
in 1957. The current events weekly quickly became a success, and by the early 1960s, enjoyed a circulation of nearly 500,000. His irreverent portrayals of General Juan Carlos Onganía
(who had seized power in a 1966 coup d'état) resulted in the closure of Tía Vicenta by government edict in July of that year. The shuttered magazine returned in a less successful version as Tío Landrú from 1967 to 1969, and briefly, by its original name, in the late 1970s.
Colombres was awarded the Maria Moors Cabot prize
by Columbia University
in 1971, and was inducted into the National Academy of Journalists (Argentina). He began what became his most enduring association when, in 1975, he contributed his first illustrations to Clarín
, the leading news daily in Argentina. His illustrations not only lampooned prominent politicians and businessmen, but also regularly featured stock characters meant to satirize prevailing mores and ironies. Some of the best known include the antiquated Aunts Vicenta and Cora, the self-righteous "pillar of society" Señor Porcel (whom he patterned after his own father), the unethical businessman Señor Cateura, Rogelio (whose good intentions are defeated by "analysis paralysis
"), the anti-Peronist inquisitor Detective Cuculiu, Fofoli (who replaces even common words for euphemisms), the philandering executive, and his self-absorbed wife, the put-upon Señora Gorda.
He also writes and illustrates a weekly column in Clarín's Ollas y Sartenes culinary insert. The column, Landrú a la pimienta ("peppery Landrú") offers recipes created from ingredients with a double meaning related to Argentina's current events.
Life and times
Colombres was born in Buenos AiresBuenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
in 1923. His father's family were prominent in Tucumán Province
Tucumán Province
Tucumán is the most densely populated, and the smallest by land area, of the provinces of Argentina. Located in the northwest of the country, the capital is San Miguel de Tucumán, often shortened to Tucumán. Neighboring provinces are, clockwise from the north: Salta, Santiago del Estero and...
, where in 1821 Bishop José Colombres
José Colombres
José Eusebio Colombres was an Argentine statesman and bishop. He was a representative to the Congress of Tucumán of 9 July 1816 which declared the Independence of Argentina, and is credited with the foundation of the important sugar cane industry in Tucumán Province.Colombres was born in San...
introduced sugarcane
Sugarcane
Sugarcane refers to any of six to 37 species of tall perennial grasses of the genus Saccharum . Native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South Asia, they have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar, and measure two to six metres tall...
. He took an early interest in both drawing
Drawing
Drawing is a form of visual art that makes use of any number of drawing instruments to mark a two-dimensional medium. Common instruments include graphite pencils, pen and ink, inked brushes, wax color pencils, crayons, charcoal, chalk, pastels, markers, styluses, and various metals .An artist who...
and irony
Irony
Irony is a rhetorical device, literary technique, or situation in which there is a sharp incongruity or discordance that goes beyond the simple and evident intention of words or actions...
, and in 1939, created Génesis Novísimo, his illustrated alternative to the Book of Genesis. He began his career in journalism in 1945 as a commentator and editorial cartoonist for Don Fulgencio, directed at the time by Lino Palacio. He also became a frequent contributor to other comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s, including Dante Quinterno
Dante Quinterno
Dante Quinterno was an Argentine comics artist, famous for being the creator of the Patoruzú, Isidoro Cañones and Patoruzito characters....
's regionalist
Regionalism (literature)
In literature, regionalism or local color refers to fiction or poetry that focuses on specific features – including characters, dialects, customs, history, and topography – of a particular region...
Patoruzú
Patoruzú
Patoruzú is a comic character created in 1928 by Dante Quinterno and is considered the most popular hero of Argentine comics. Patoruzú is a wealthy Tehuelche cacique with great state properties in Patagonia, and is possessed of both superhuman physical strength and a charitable yet naive heart...
and Guillermo Divito
Guillermo Divito
José Antonio Guillermo Divito, also known simply as Divito was an illustrator, cartoonist, caricaturist and editor who, through his comic illustrations and humor had great influence in the decades from 1940 to 1960. He was the founder and director of the famous magazine Rico Tipo.-External links:*...
's Rico Tipo
Rico Tipo
Rico Tipo was a weekly Argentine comic magazine that appeared from late 1944 until 1972, founded and directed by Guillermo Divito. It was among the main comic magazines in Argentina, others being Patoruzú and Satiricón...
("Rich Guy"). Colombres married the former Margarita Miche in 1946, and they had two children.
Colombres joined Jorge Palacio (Lino Palacio's son) in a recently-established satirical magazine, Cascabel ("Rattle"), in 1947. Cascabel became known for its daring political humor during an era of growing press censorship in Argentina, and in particular for Colombres' parodies of high-powered figures in business and government. Perhaps the best known were his depictions of President Juan Perón
Juan Perón
Juan Domingo Perón was an Argentine military officer, and politician. Perón was three times elected as President of Argentina though he only managed to serve one full term, after serving in several government positions, including the Secretary of Labor and the Vice Presidency...
, who was portrayed in full military regalia and a large pear
Pear
The pear is any of several tree species of genus Pyrus and also the name of the pomaceous fruit of these trees. Several species of pear are valued by humans for their edible fruit, but the fruit of other species is small, hard, and astringent....
for a head. The pun
Pun
The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use and abuse of homophonic,...
, which played on the similarity between the name Perón and the Spanish word pera, prompted Jorge Palacio (who wrote under the nom-de-plume of Faruk) to urge Colombres to also adopt a pseudonym. Asked for suggestions by Colombres, Palacio remarked that the satirist, who at the time wore a goatee
Goatee
Goatee refers to a style of facial hair incorporating hair on a man’s chin. The exact nature of the style has varied according to time and culture.Traditionally, goatee refers solely to a beard formed by a tuft of hair on the chin...
, resembled the French serial killer Henri Désiré Landru
Henri Désiré Landru
Henri Désiré Landru was a French serial killer and real-life "Bluebeard".-Early life:Landru was born in Paris. After leaving school, he spent four years in the French Army from 1887 – 1891. After he was discharged from service, he proceeded to have a sexual relationship with his cousin...
("Bluebeard," or as he is known in Argentina: "Landrú").
Colombres earned a gold medal from the Argentine Illustrators' Association in 1948, and a Clarín Award in 1954. Extending his satirical reach beyond print, he also led Jacinto W. y sus Tururú Serenaders, a 1958 musical group created as a parody of the Doo-wop
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
ensembles popular at the time.
His illustrations appeared in a large number of Argentine publications at the time, notably in El Gráfico
El Gráfico
-History:El Gráfico was founded on May 30, 1919. Born as a general interest weekly magazine, it became a sports-only publication in 1925. In 2002, it became a monthly....
and El Mundo. He established a satirical publication, Tía Vicenta, with fellow caricaturist Oski
Oscar Conti (Oski)
Oscar "Oski" Conti was a prominent Argentine cartoonist and humorist.-Life and work:Oscar Esteban Conti was born in Buenos Aires in 1914. Enrolling at the National Fine Arts School, he helped finance his studies by creating caricatures for local advertisers...
in 1957. The current events weekly quickly became a success, and by the early 1960s, enjoyed a circulation of nearly 500,000. His irreverent portrayals of General Juan Carlos Onganía
Juan Carlos Onganía
Juan Carlos Onganía Carballo was de facto president of Argentina from 29 June 1966 to 8 June 1970. He rose to power as military dictator after toppling, in a coup d’état self-named Revolución Argentina , the democratically elected president Arturo Illia .-Economic and social...
(who had seized power in a 1966 coup d'état) resulted in the closure of Tía Vicenta by government edict in July of that year. The shuttered magazine returned in a less successful version as Tío Landrú from 1967 to 1969, and briefly, by its original name, in the late 1970s.
Colombres was awarded the Maria Moors Cabot prize
Maria Moors Cabot prize
The Maria Moors Cabot Prizes are the oldest international awards in the field of journalism. They pick what the Trustees of Columbia University see as journalistic contributions to inter-American understanding.-Award:...
by Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1971, and was inducted into the National Academy of Journalists (Argentina). He began what became his most enduring association when, in 1975, he contributed his first illustrations to Clarín
Clarín (newspaper)
Clarín is the largest newspaper in Argentina, published by the Grupo Clarín media group. It was founded by Roberto Noble on 28 August 1945. It is politically centrist but popularly understood to oppose the Kirchner government...
, the leading news daily in Argentina. His illustrations not only lampooned prominent politicians and businessmen, but also regularly featured stock characters meant to satirize prevailing mores and ironies. Some of the best known include the antiquated Aunts Vicenta and Cora, the self-righteous "pillar of society" Señor Porcel (whom he patterned after his own father), the unethical businessman Señor Cateura, Rogelio (whose good intentions are defeated by "analysis paralysis
Analysis paralysis
The term "analysis paralysis" or "paralysis of analysis" refers to over-analyzing a situation, so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome. A decision can be treated as over-complicated, with too many detailed options, so that a choice is never made, rather than...
"), the anti-Peronist inquisitor Detective Cuculiu, Fofoli (who replaces even common words for euphemisms), the philandering executive, and his self-absorbed wife, the put-upon Señora Gorda.
He also writes and illustrates a weekly column in Clarín's Ollas y Sartenes culinary insert. The column, Landrú a la pimienta ("peppery Landrú") offers recipes created from ingredients with a double meaning related to Argentina's current events.