Could these bronze wolves whisper tales of strength and openness? We are standing before the Escultura de Lobos. This sculpture is more than just art. It embodies the spirit of the Universidad Iberoamericana.
The Escultura de Lobos features two rampaging wolves. They stand separated by a cauldron. Llares support the cauldron. The sculpture sits near the José Sánchez Villaseñor auditorium. It was placed here on January 15, 2002.
According to Nuestra Comunidad, the sculpture represents the Loyola family’s heraldry. It signifies combativeness and the pursuit of wisdom. Francisco “Pancho” Cárdenas created the Escultura de Lobos. He was a renowned artist. He worked as a draftsman, illustrator, publicist, painter, and sculptor. Cárdenas said the wolves symbolize the University’s openness. This openness extends to various religions, creeds, and ideologies.
Cárdenas wanted to honor St. Ignatius of Loyola. He was the founder of the Society of Jesus. He was also a key figure in the IBERO’s philosophy. The Escultura de Lobos pays homage to him.
The sculpture is bronze. It was crafted using the lost-wax technique. The Escultura de Lobos weighs one and a half tons. Its complexity required over a year and a half of work. Cárdenas called the artwork “Los Lobos”.
Cárdenas explained his process to Nuestra Comunidad. He first modeled the wolves in plasticine. Then, he divided the figure. He made wax copies from each mold. These copies were bathed in silica sand. Workers wrapped them in sheets. They were then baked in an oven for three days.
Veins were traced on each wax copy. These veins fed molten bronze. The bronze was heated to 1,300 degrees. This ensured the metal reached every part of the sculpture. The team then welded each of the 60 pieces together.
The sculpture has a green color. Cárdenas chose this to integrate it into its surroundings. The area is now known as the Jardín de Los Lobos.
The Escultura de Lobos garnered international attention. Loyola University of Chicago and the University of San Francisco requested replicas. These replicas were made with some modifications.
So here we stand before the Escultura de Lobos. It is a symbol of strength, openness, and artistic dedication. It connects the Universidad Iberoamericana to its Jesuit roots. It reminds us of the enduring pursuit of knowledge and understanding.