Puerto Rico's foremost abstract painter dies.

Julio Rosado del Valle, Puerto Rico's best abstract artist of the 20th century, died on Saturday after a long illness. He was 86 years old.

Born in 1922 in Cataño, he showed promise as a painter since early childhood. Studied under the tutelage of Cristóbal Ruiz at the University of Puerto Rico, then with painter Mario Carreño in New York. He finished his formation in France and Italy.

He came back to Puerto Rico in 1944 where he worked at the Community Educational Division and co-founded with Lorenzo Homar, Rafael Tufiño, Torres Martinó and Félix Rodríguez Báez the Arts center of Puerto Rico.

Rest in Peace. He was the last of the great 20th Century Puertorrican painters. He will be missed.