César Manrique (24/4/1919 Arrecife, Lanzarote - 25/9/1992 Tahíche, Lanzarote) was an internationally renowned artist and environmentalist who had a major influence on the development of the Canary Islands. He studied in Madrid at the San Fernando Academy of Fine Arts, graduating as a teacher of art and painting. He later moved to Paris and New York, where his works were sold all over the world. In 1968, he returned to his native island, where the regional council gave him carte blanche.
César Manrique, once described as an urban designer and environmentalist, placed great importance on preserving the island and its aesthetic appeal. To achieve this, he recommended several things: that no building higher than a palm tree be erected, that roadside signs be kept to a minimum and that electricity cables be laid underground. He also suggested that all villages be painted white and green and encouraged locals to renovate their homes and maintain a certain harmony with the local environment.

Despite all his masterpieces sold all over the world, his greatest achievement is probably the result of his architectural work in Lanzarote, which allowed the preservation of the natural state of this magnificent island. As a result of all his efforts, César Manrique was awarded the World Ecology and Tourism Prize in 1978, and in 1986 he received the Europa Nostra prize for conservation.