JOAQUÍN DOMÍNGUEZ BÉCQUER

Joaquín Domínguez Bécquer got the basic knowledge of the art of painting from his cousin Jose, who started this outstanding dynasty of painters, and in his turn he taught his nephew, the most prominent painter of the family, Valeriano Bécquer. The latter was a brother of Gustavo Adolfo, one of the most famous names in the Spanish literature, whom he painted and the canvas became well-known. Just like Joaquin he studied in the School of Fine Arts in his native town and as the years went by he turned into a professor and a director of that institution. It was not the only one honour that he won in the course of his life; they were numerous. He was one of the founders of the Spanish artistic Lyceum and Honoured Painter of the court of Isabel II since 1850. Besides, he got the position of the Director of the restoration of the Arab salons of the Royal palaces and he was appointed member of the Seville Royal Academy of Belles-Lettres in 1847 and the Academy of Santa Isabel for the painting. Furthermore, he was a member of the commission of historical and artistic monuments of the province. His painting, in full harmony with the traditions of the Seville school, depicted historic events, genre scenes and portraits. The canvases are permeated with the perfect academic touches issued from the profound knowledge of the ancient painting, especially Spanish. It is true, on the other hand, that indiscriminate usage of some stereotypes and from time to time excessive chromatic brilliancy made the outlook of his works a little bit solid and harsh. He demonstrated a great ability for decoration in the paintings in the open air where light contrasts add some depth to the works. The significance of Domínguez Bécquer in Seville in the middle of the 19th century helped him to get access to the elite circle of duke Montpensier’s friends that was established in the city in 1848 and under which protection his artistic life in Seville got new impetus.  He was also a professor of painting of duke Montpensier’s children. He developed especially the painting of the genre and traditional painting that popularized the romantic myth of Spain and that united by many aspects the Andaluz and the Spanish traditions, particularly in the eyes of placid and sometimes interested travellers. Many of Domínguez Bécquer’s canvases are a tribute to the Spanish traditionalism, just like the Party of Flamenco that is presented nowadays in the rooms of the gallery.

Scene of the andalusian dance

Claudio Coello 6 28001 Madrid tel. (34) 91 435 0174 galeria@josedelamano.com