Who is Ettore?

Ettore, the emerging artist from Valencia: Biography of Héctor Cortina, between tattoos, painting and urban art

Héctor Cortina, better known as Ettore , is an emerging Valencian artist who has conquered both the worlds of realistic tattooing and contemporary painting . Born in 1985 in Valencia, Spain, his life and work are marked by a unique fusion of street art, pop art, and an intense and resilient biography.

Ettore's Beginnings: Art from the Street

Raised in a troubled neighborhood and a broken family, his childhood was marked by the harshness of street life, surrounded by drugs and violence. However, what could have been his doom became the fuel for his creativity. From the age of 4, Héctor found an outlet in drawing, a refuge where he could transform chaos into beauty. Self-taught by nature, his innate talent earned him recognition in schools, despite being a misfit, troubled, and indomitable young man.

Realistic tattoo: his first great artistic success

The streets of Valencia not only taught him how to survive, but also forged his worldview: raw, direct, and unfiltered. With good grades but not fitting into the system, Héctor sought his own path. In his teens, he turned to street dealings and the strategic use of violence to support himself and part of his family. However, at 17, a crucial turning point marked his life: he decided to channel his energy into the world of tattooing. What began as an outlet for escaping his turbulent life became his first great professional passion. Specializing in realism, Ettore soon gained fame in Valencia , leaving his mark on his clients' skin with a visceral and authentic style.

From tattoo to painting: evolution towards urban and contemporary art

A tireless entrepreneur, Héctor wasn't satisfied with just one canvas. He founded tattoo studios in Cheste , Valencia , Mallorca , and Ibiza , consolidating his reputation as a leading artist . But his ambition went further: in 2021, he launched a jewelry design project, a bold gamble that, although cut short by a lack of funding during the pandemic, remains a dream with extraordinary potential. This setback didn't stop him; on the contrary, it reinforced his conviction that art , in all its forms, would be his legacy.

International recognition: Ettore triumphs in Paris

The art world had always been on his mind, despite having no academic training. Every year, his interest in painting grew, driven by the desire to express his talent without the limitations of the designs imposed by his clients. In 2023, Ettore began painting, and in 2024, this new facet exploded with overwhelming force: more than 20 medium- and large-format works, imbued with realism, touches of color inspired by urban art , and nods to the Pop Art of giants like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein . His wild yet deeply human style catapulted him to the top emerging young artist in Paris , a city that recognized his genius before many in his homeland.

An artist with a legacy: Ettore's brand vision

In 2024, fate crossed his path with an influential businessman from Murcia, a meeting that marked the beginning of a powerful alliance. Together, they shared their love of art and devised an ambitious plan. In 2025, this collaboration crystallized in the creation of an artistic partnership with a clear objective: to bring the Ettore brand to the world. This initiative not only seeks to disseminate his work but also to promote art as a vehicle for universal expression, positioning Ettore as a name synonymous with exclusivity , passion , and authenticity .

Ettore isn't just an artist ; he's a force of nature . His life, from the streets of Valencia to the galleries of Paris , is a testament to resilience and pure talent . Today, his work—wild, heartfelt, and uncompromising—is ready to take on the world. This is the time to invest in his vision, because Ettore doesn't just create art: he creates a legacy .