Born in Almeria, Spain, Federico Castellon came to the United States in 1921, and received his citizenship in 1943. He was elected to membership in the National Academy of Design in New York and was a member of the Society of American Graphic Artists. His surrealist style was influenced by Salvador Dali.

Castellon participated in the 1935 Paris Exhibition of Spanish Artists that included Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, and Joan Miro. He taught successively in New York City at Teachers' College of Columbia University, Pratt Institute, and Queens College. He won numerous awards including two Guggenheim Fellowships and First Prize from the Library of Congress. A retrospective of his prints was held at the Allied Artists of America in 1978.