Francisco de Vitoria (1483/6 – 1546) was a Spanish Roman Catholic philosopher, theologian and jurist of Renaissance Spain. He is noted for his significant contributions to 'Just War Theory' by presenting criteria for a justifiable war, and to international law. He has been referred to by some scholars as the “father of international law.”

This bust was created by artist Francisco Toledo Sanchez (1940 – 2019). Sanchez was a Mexican Zapotec artist and promoted the artistic culture and heritage of his home, Oaxaca, Mexico.  He became an important contemporary artist and worked in many formats including painting, ceramics, textiles, prints, sculpture, photography and mixed media. 

The bust was presented to the United Nations on June 4th, 1976 by King Juan Carlos of Spain. Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim accepted the gift and stated: “It is fitting that the sculpture of one of the fathers of international law should be displayed in the United Nations Headquarters. Indeed, it will constantly remind us of the Preamble of the Charter in which the peoples of the United Nations expressed their determination to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from international law can be maintained.”