José Casanova Luján

JOSÉ CASANOVA LUJÁN (Valencia, 1933 - 1989).
"Return from fishing".
Oil on canvas.
Signed in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 73 x 92 cm; 100 x 119 cm (frame).
The Valencian painter José Casanova was born in the bosom of a very humble family, and lived a hard childhood due to the war. However, when he was only thirteen years old, he held his first exhibition in the Hall of the Press Association of Valencia, the inauguration of which was attended by the mayor of the city. Later he entered the School of Fine Arts of San Carlos, and combined his studies with his work in the restoration workshop of Rafael Vañó Marqués, where he acquired a solid technical preparation and a great mastery of the trade. In the fifties his successes began: he was awarded twice in the Provincial Art Exhibition, with second prize in 1952 and third prize the following year. He will now begin to sell his pictorial work in his closest circles, while he works in the decoration of fans and as a commercial painter. Finally he will abandon all work other than easel painting, and in 1978 his work will be recognized with the First Prize of Painting of the City Council of Cullera. He exhibited frequently, always obtaining critical and public success, thanks to an eclectic work influenced by romanticism, impressionism, realism and hyperrealism, with themes ranging from landscape, mythology and biblical themes to costumbrist scenes of historicist character, always giving free rein to his fertile imagination. Casanova developed a neat language, of exquisite figures and extraordinary play of light, through which he reflected a romantic, placid world, extinguished by the fleetingness of modern time. Casanova is currently represented in numerous institutional and private collections, both Spanish and foreign.