The Public Paperfolding History Project

Main Index Page

x

The Paperfolding of Dr Vicente Solorzano Sagredo
 

Introduction

Vicente Solorzano Sagredo was born on 24th July 1883 in Burgos in Spain and died on March 9th 1970 in Vallidolid, Spain, at the age of 87. Hard facts about his life are difficult to come by.

**********

Chronology

1883

Vicente Solorzano Sagrdedo was born on 24th July 1883 in Burgos in Spain.

**********

1908

Dr Solorzano gained his medical degree in Madrid.

**********

1912

After traveling widely, Dr Solorzano settled down to live in Buenos Aires and opened a medical practice there.

**********

1936

An article about the design work of Dr Solorzano, titled 'Las Papirolas del Doctor Solorzano: Poligonos de papel que abre un nuevo horizonte para la cienciass papirolas del Doctor Solorzano', by Carlos Alberto Leumann was published in 'La Prensa, Diario de Buenos Aires' on 15th November 1936.

**********

1938

The Buenos Aires edition of the magazine 'Caras y Caretas' for 21st May 1938 included a poem by Dr Solorzano which was illustrated by photos of someof his paperfolds. The poem refers to the figures of folded animals as 'deltoiditas' as well as 'papirolas', which are both terms invented by the author.

**********

Issue 2050 of the Buenos Aires edition of the magazine 'Caras y Caretas' of 15th November 1938 carried an illustrated article about the paperfolding of Dr Solorzano.

**********

Pubication of 'Papirolas' - 1st Manual - Figuras geométricas de papel doblado.

**********

1939

Publication of 'Papirolas' - 2nd Manual. - Figuras geométricas de papel doblado y plegado' -

**********

1940

Publication of 'Papirolas' - 3rd Manual. - Pajaritalogia.

**********

1941

An article about Solorzano by M Garcia Hernandez was published in Diario de la Marina, Havana, March 1941.

**********

1942

According to Gershon Legman's 'Bibliography of Paperfolding' diagrams for two of Dr Solorzano's designs were published in 'Diario Español' in Buenos Aires in 1942. Diagrams for his Peacock / Pavo Real were published in the issue for Feb 22, 1942. Diagrams for a Rooster were published in the issue for Aug 3rd 1942.

**********

1943

Dr Solorzano contributed designs to each of the six volumes of 'El Libro de Oro de Los Ninos' (The Golden Book of Children), which were published by U.T.E.H.A in Buenos Aires in 1943. Diagrams for his eponymous Peacock were published in volume 6.

**********

1945

Publication of 'Papirolas - Tratado de Papiroflexia Superior'.

**********

1946

Publication of 'Papirolas Escolares' nos 1 to 6.

**********

1947

Publication of 'Papiroflexia Elemental'.

An article about Dr Solorzano by A Villacian Burgos was published in the 'Buenos Aires Sinfonia' in Dec 1947.

**********

1950

An article about Dr Solorzano by E Algani was published in 'El Hogar', Buenos Aires, in Sept 1950.

**********

1961

'The Art of Origami' by Samuel Randlett, which was published by E P Dutton in New York in 1961, contained a photo of a five-pointed star attributed to Dr Solorzano and said to have been published in his ' Tratado de Papiroflexia Superior'.

**********

1962

Publication of 'Papiroflexia Zoomorphica' in two volumes. An analysis of the contents of Volume 1 can be found here and Volume 2 here. There is a general introduction to the works on the page for Volume 1. Many of the designs are made using cuts.

There is controversy as to who should be credited with drawing the diagrams and as to whether all the designs are Dr Solorzano's own work. See entries for 1968 and 1969 below.

Volume 2 includes a list of magazine articles featuring Dr Solorzano's paperfolding:

**********

1964

'Secrets of Origami', by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne Book Company in London in 1964, contained diagrams for two of Dr Solorzano's designs:

Norseman's Helmet

**********

Solorzano's Angel Fish

The text notes 'This was one of the first models sent to me by Gershon Legman.'

**********

1965

Vol 5: Issue 3 of 'The Origamian' for Autumn 1965 contained a profile of Dr Solorzano, written by Francis K McNaul Jr:

***

The same issue also contained a review of Papiroflexia Zoomorphica, also written by Francis K McNaul Jr, which, inter alia, contains information on Dr Solorzano's view of the use of cuts:

***

And diagrams for DrSolorzano's Puppet or Indian Dancer:

**********

1968

Vol 8: Issues 1 and 2 of 'The Origamian' for Spring and Summer 1968 contained a profile of Ligia Montoya, 'Ligia Montoya: Woman and Artist', written by Gershon Legman, which contained the following information about Ligia Montoya's relatonship with Dr Solorzano:

**********

Vol 8 Issue 3 of 'The Origamian' for Autumn 1968 contains an open letter from Dr. Solorzano disputing some of the content of Gershon Legman's obituary of Ligia Montoya which was published in Vol 8, issue 1.

**********

1969

Vol 9: Issue 2 of 'The Origamian' for Summer 1969 contains a letter from Neal Elias contesting some of the assertions Dr. Solorzano made in his letter about Ligia Montoya published in Volume 8, issue 4, and another letter on a similar theme from Robert Harbin.

**********

1970

Vol 10: Issue 1 of 'The Origamian' for Spring 1970 contained an obituary for Dr Solorzano:

**********