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Aries Lagna

Figueroa Gabriel

Remembering (Apr 27, 1997)

April 24, 1907 · Mexico City, Mexico City
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Moon Sign
Leo
Sun Sign
Aries
Ascendant
Aries
Nakshatra
Purva Phalguni
Birth Star
ArtTravel for workEntertainmentSkills- SpecialistMentor/TutorStart young less than 16Gain - Grant, ScholarshipLife Path 9
Biography

Figueroa Gabriel Biography

Mexican cinematographer who worked both in Mexican cinema and Hollywood, filming 235 movies over 50 years, including Los Olvidados by Luis Buñuel, The Night of the Iguana by John Huston, The Fugitive by John Ford, and Río Escondido by Emilio Fernández. His mother died after giving birth to him. His father, unable to cope with the loss of his wife, left Gabriel and his brother Roberto in the care of their aunts. He studied painting at the Academia de San Carlos, and at age 16 became interested in photography thanks to José Guadalupe Velasco. He later befriended other photographers, such as Gilberto Martínez Solares and Raúl Martínez Solares, and these three would then move on to cinematography. Figueroa made his entry into the movie industry in 1932 as a still photographer for the film Revolución by Miguel Contreras Torres. He was later one of the 20 cinematographers hired for the Howard Hawks film Viva Villa!. After a few jobs he obtained a scholarship to study in the United States where he was taught by the established director of photography Gregg Toland. Back in Mexico, his first film was Fernando de Fuentess Allá en el Rancho Grande (1936) which would become one of the most popular films in Mexico and Latin America, and gave him his first award at the Venice Film Festival. One of his main collaborators was Fernández, with whom he shot twenty films, some of which won prizes at the Venice Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, and the Berlin Film Festival. After collaborating with Fernández and Buñuel on their films with such actors as Dolores del Río, Pedro Armendáriz, María Félix, Jorge Negrete, Columba Domínguez, and Silvia Pinal, Figueroa has come to be regarded one of the most influential cinematographers active in México. He died on 27 April 1997, aged 90, in Mexico City. Link to Wikipedia biography
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Update at: Mar 17, 2026

Gabriel Figueroa (1907–1997) – Cinematographer

Biography

Gabriel Figueroa was a renowned Mexican cinematographer born in Mexico City. A central figure of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, he helped define the visual language of Mexican film through a distinctive use of light, shadow and composition, often in black-and-white.

Over a career spanning several decades, Figueroa collaborated with celebrated directors and contributed to international cinema, earning acclaim for his ability to craft luminous, dramatic imagery that heightened mood and narrative clarity.

Notable Works

  • Los Olvidados (1950) — Cinematography by Gabriel Figueroa; director Luis Buñuel. A landmark in Mexican cinema that showcased his stark, expressive lighting and compositions.
  • Macario (1960) — Cinematography by Gabriel Figueroa; director Roberto Gavaldón. Widely celebrated for its tonal richness and visual storytelling.

His filmography includes many other titles that contributed to his reputation as one of Mexico’s master cinematographers.

Style and Legacy

Figueroa’s work is known for high-contrast, painterly black-and-white imagery, with carefully choreographed light sources and architectural framing. His contributions helped elevate Mexican cinema on the world stage and continue to influence cinematographers in Latin America and beyond.

Awards and Recognition

As a leading figure of the era, Figueroa received widespread critical acclaim and is frequently cited in film histories as one of the greats of Mexican cinematography. Specific award details are available in film archives and retrospectives.

Public Presence

There is no active personal social media presence for Gabriel Figueroa (as he lived before the digital era). References to his work exist in film archives, retrospectives, and cinema history resources. For public information, consult film databases, archives and museum collections that house his works.

News and Retrospectives

Because he passed away in 1997, there are no contemporary projects. Occasional retrospectives, restorations, and articles about his cinematography appear in film festivals and academic settings, highlighting his influence on Mexican and international cinema.

Further Reading

  • Gabriel Figueroa – filmography and biography in film archives
  • Los Olvidados (1950) – historical and technical analysis
  • Macario (1960) – analysis of cinematography

Numerology Profile

Life Path
9

Chaldean Life Path 9 is Mars-in-service—courage with compassion. It indicates completion, humanitarian work, and lessons in letting go and higher purpose.

Destiny
5

Chaldean Destiny 5 indicates dynamic progress through change and versatility. It supports travel, sales, communication roles, and fast adaptation.

Soul Urge
9

Chaldean Soul 9 desires purpose and compassion. It seeks to serve, forgive, and complete cycles with wisdom.

Personality
5

Chaldean Personality 5 appears energetic, adaptable, and adventurous. Others often see curiosity, movement, and flexibility.

Kabbalah Number
1

Kabbalah Number 1 reflects an inner spiritual code of initiative and self-direction. It supports willpower, clarity, and a strong identity path.

Birth
6

Discover Birth Number 6 in Vedic astrology: core traits, love life, career paths, and remedies to balance karma and unlock success through mindful choices.

Life Events & Planetary Transits

Key events mapped against the active Dasha and planetary transits at the time.

1997
Death
Death, Cause unspecified 27 April 1997 (Age 90)
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this profile's Vedic astrology, birth chart, and numerology — answered by our astrologers.

Figueroa Gabriel was born on April 24, 1907, making him a Taurus in the Western tropical zodiac. Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty and aesthetics, which aligns perfectly with his celebrated career as a visual artist and cinematographer. Taurus natives possess an innate sense of form, patience, and craftsmanship — qualities that earned Figueroa Gabriel his legendary status in the world of cinema and fine art.

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