The works of the 1960s by Maestro José Luis Serrano are exceptionally rare, constituting true jewels of contemporary Mexican art. This rarity has a touching story behind it:

During his student years at La Esmeralda, Serrano, living in precarious conditions, created his works using unconventional materials such as coffee grounds. Without a stable place to live, alternating between abandoned buildings, basements and classrooms, he sent his creations to his mother's house for safekeeping.

Years later, when success allowed him to seek out these early works again, he discovered a devastating reality: much of his early work had been destroyed. The paintings had been used as chicken coops and even as fuel for the boiler. This irreparable loss marks not only the destruction of works of art, but also the testimony of his years of struggle and training.