Outstanding People from Various Fields

Justo Leonidas Durán Durán (1859-1924) – Politician and General.
In the words of historian Fernando Velandia, “General Justo L. Durán was a prestigious Army member and liberal leader, distinguished for his patriotism and magnanimity.”
Durán was the President of Colombia and a cofounder of the Colombian Red Cross.
The North Santander Congress, along with the Governor honoured him posthumously. He was born in Oiba.

Carlos Ardila Lülle (1930-2021) – Businessman.
A tycoon of industry and commerce, Carlos Ardila Lülle is the founder and owner of hundreds of businesses that have generated much-needed sources of work for Colombians.
His work as an industrialist have brought him many prestigious awards and decorations, such as, the Grand Cross of the Order of Boyacá, the Order of the Congress, the Legion of Honour of France, and the designation of "Businessman of the 20th Century" in Colombia. Ardila Lülle was born in Bucaramanga..

Élder Jesús Villamizar Roa – Mathematician and scientist.
Dr. Villamizar studied Mathematics at the Universidad Industrial de Santander where he earned a B.A. degree at the age of 21. In 2000 he went to Brazil to finish his studies where he earned M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Mathematics.
At the age of 29, the scientist contributed to the development of a theory on the existence and stability of solutions for micro-polar fluids in exterior domains. For this work, he was awarded the "Prize for Young Scientists in Colombia " offered by the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World and the Colombian Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences.
The theories of this young mathematician have been published in scientific journals and magazines in The United Kingdom, France, Germany and Colombia. Villamizar was born in Bucaramanga in 1978.

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Artists
(Arranged by date of birth)

Domingo Moreno Otero (1882-1948) – Portrait artist, landscape painter and sketcher.
This renowned painter studied in Europe before founding the School of Fine Arts in Bucaramanga.
He has received many awards throughout his career, including the Gold Medal at the International Painting Exhibition in Seville, Spain and the Gold Medal at the Independence of Colombia Centennial Celebration Exhibition.
His most famous works hang at the National Museum of Colombia, the Colombian Academy of History, as well as in private collections. He was born in La Concepción.

Luis Alberto Acuña Tapias (1904-1984) – Painter, sculptor, writer and essayist
Master Acuña had a long career with many diverse productions. His most famous works can be found at the Museums of Modern Art in Bogotá and in New York City, the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, as well as in many other public and private collections around the world.
In homage to the artist, the “Luis Alberto Acuña House Museum” was founded in Villa de Leyva. He was born in Suaita.

Óscar Rodriguez Naranjo (1907-2006) – Painter and sculptor.
Classical art of the 20 th century is reflected in the paintings and sculptures of this renowned artist.
He was a student at the School of Fine Arts in Bogotá, the Academy of Julian in Paris, and the Victorio Macho Workshop in Madrid.
His paintings can be found at the National Museum of Colombia and in several public office buildings in Bucaramanga. One of his bronze sculptures was placed in his hometown, El Socorro.

His Eminence Cardinal Jorge Enrique Jiménez.
He was created Cardinal by the Pope Francisco on Augus25, 2022. He was born in Bucaramanga in 1942.

               
Henry Laverde        B. González          J.A. Figueroa

Henry Laverde Pineda (1940-1992) – Caricaturist.
The portraits of national and international politicians of this fine artist have been published in the best Colombian newspapers. His work, done in fine ink, pencil, pastel, watercolour and oil paint, has been exhibited in several galleries.
In 1966 he received the First Prize in caricature at the Third International Salon of Cartoons and Caricature in Montreal, Canada, and in 2000 he was recognized as one of the best caricaturists of the 20th century. Laverde was born in Bucaramanga.

Beatriz González Aranda – Painter, historian and art critic.
This artists works have been presented in both national and international exhibitions. She has worked with canvas, wood, plastic, metal, fabric, and many other mediums and materials.
As an art historian, she wrote the article Plastic Arts in the 19 th Century for the Great Encyclopaedia of Colombia (1993). Her other written work includes, Fídolo, Alfonso González Camargo, and José Gabriel Tatis, a Compromised Painter. Beatriz was born in Bucaramanga in 1938.

José Antonio Figueroa "Pablo" (1947-2007) – Sculpturer.
An exceptional sculpturer, Figueroa's columns, fountains, sculptures, and decorations have been prized throughout Santander.
At the age of 50, he received honours from the City Hall of his hometown Barichara.