Ismael Hernandez Serrano was born on August 10, 1902 and died on February 7, 1988. Serrano was a sculptor and carver who also worked as an art teacher for 11 years at Bena Bente College. He was mentored by Mexican carousel carvers Ricardo Flores and Mucio Juarez.
Serrano was described as a very private man, and thus little information exists regarding his life and work.
Serrano horses typically have short but wide ears and small heads, with blocky, thick bodies. Like most Mexican figures, the legs have deeply carved muscles. Most Serrano figures have painted eyes, though some do have glass eyes.
Serrano also carved many armored horses, with the armor panels layered down the neck and below the saddle.
Menagerie figures carved by Serrano are typically cartoonish, with large eyes and exaggerated proportions.
Sweeney, Noreene & Mike. “Hecho En Mexico.” The Carousel News & Trader, January 1993, pp. 22–29.
Sweeney, Noreene & Mike. “South of the Border.” The Carousel News & Trader, June 1992, pp. 13–17.