Carlos De Haes

CARLOS DE HAES (Brussels, 1829 - Madrid, 1898).
"Donkey eating grass", 1887.
Oil on canvas.
Measurements: 30 x 40 cm; 42 x 53 cm (frame).

The simple image of a donkey grazing grass inside the stable is transformed by Carlos De Haes into a scene brimming with poetry thanks to a masterful play of chiaroscuro and the precision of the anatomical treatment of the animal.

The Haes family moved from Brussels to Spain in 1835, specifically to Malaga, where Carlos began his training as a disciple of Luis de la Cruz. In 1850 he decided to continue his studies in his homeland, learning from the great Flemish landscape painters. At the same time he came into contact with contemporary Belgian artists, who exhibited regularly in the Brussels Salons. Once there he worked with the landscape painter Joseph Quinaux, who introduced him to plein air painting, key to the formation of his artistic personality. On his return to Spain Haes began to reap success, an example of which is the third medal at the National Exhibition of 1856. The following year he became professor of landscape painting at the San Fernando Academy of Fine Arts, a position from which he trained a whole generation of landscape painters in the practice of plein air painting, within realism. His students were Aureliano Beruete and Darío de Regoyos. During his artistic career he continued to reap awards, such as the first medal at the National Exhibition of 1858. In 1860 he was named academician of San Fernando, the same year he obtained another first medal at the National Exhibition. In spite of everything, he cannot be considered a follower of plenairism, since he was in favor of working only the sketches from life, while he considered that the painting should be finished in the classical way, in the workshop. However, he was the introducer of landscape painting in Spanish painting, to the point that the first chair of landscape painting at the Academy of San Fernando was created for him. Most of Carlos de Haes' production is in the Prado Museum, although he is also represented in the Fine Arts Museums of Bilbao, Malaga, Valencia and Lleida, in the Jaime Moreda Foundation and in the National Gallery of London.