José Benlliure Gil

JOSÉ BENLLIURE GIL (Valencia, 1855 - 1937).
"Exit of mass".
Oil on panel.
Signed in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 68 x 57 cm; 90 x 82 cm (frame).
José Benlliure began his artistic studies with Francisco Domingo in Valencia, and then continued his training in Madrid, where he settled in 1869. From an early age he enjoyed the patronage of the King of Savoy and in 1879 he moved to Rome, where he was discovered by the important art dealer Martin Colnaghi, who financed his studies in the city. In 1897 he made several trips to Tangier, Algeria and Morocco where he approached through a realistic, luminous and loose painting to the daily world of the places visited. From 1900 onwards his work depicts popular themes. He took part in the National Exhibitions of Fine Arts, obtaining third medals in the editions of 1876 and 1878 and first in the one of 1887. He belonged to the Academies of San Fernando (Madrid), San Lucas (Rome), San Carlos (Valencia), Brera (Milan) and Munich. Between 1904 and 1912 he directed the Spanish Academy in Rome. The most important part of his production is preserved in Valencia, in his House Museum and in the Museum of Fine Arts San Pío V. He is also represented in the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Palace of Charles V in Granada, among others.