Baldomero Galofre Jiménez

BALDOMERO GALOFRE JIMÉNEZ, (Reus, Tarragona, 1846 - Barcelona, 1902).
"Cattle fair".
Oil on panel.
Signed in the lower right corner.
With label of Barrachina of the year 1987 on the back.
Measurements: 24 x 40 cm; 45 x 60 cm (frame).

In this work Galofre is close to the Sevillian romantic school, main exponent of the painting of customs of romantic type of the XIX century in Spain. Traditionally, the Spanish painting and literature have been interested in the customs and popular types of Andalusia.

The theme of the Andalusian fairs was repeatedly frequented by Baldomero Galofre. A tireless observer of customs, folkloric costumes and the most genuine typism, his taste for anecdotes is evident in this composition in which large ceramic jars occupy the center of a budding deal. It is not only the precious description of the ponchos, gaiters, jackets, scarves... and of course the cattle that stand out. Also the landscape, bordered by mountains and under a wide sky furrowed by soft clouds, gives the scene a great compositional rigor.

Baldomero Galofre began his training at the La Lonja School in Barcelona, where he was a disciple of Martí Alsina, and later completed his studies in Madrid. He became known in 1866 at the Fine Arts Exhibition in Barcelona, where he would participate again in 1870, and in 1868 he participated with landscapes and studies at the Aragonese Exhibition in Zaragoza. In 1874 he obtained a pension to broaden his studies in Rome, where he lived for ten years. There he attended the Chigi Academy and the International Circle of Art, and met Mariano Fortuny in the last months of his life, following the stylistic guidelines of his compatriot. Back in Barcelona, in 1884 he held a personal exhibition that was very well received; Narciso Oller praised his great naturalism, and showed him as an example against history painting. Four years later, in a new individual exhibition, this time in Madrid, one of his works was acquired by the Queen Regent. In 1903, in a special room in the Museum of Barcelona, Galofre presented an important exhibition of his work. He developed a luminous and detailed style, and painted landscapes and popular scenes within the orbit of Fortuny. He was also an extraordinary draughtsman. He is currently represented in the MACBA and the Art and History Museum of Reus, among other public and private collections.