Famous Spanish Artists

Spanish artist Miquel Barcelo Arigues studied art at the Arts and Crafts School of Palma and the Fine Arts School of Barcelona. He was, on the other hand, constantly fascinated by the Baroque paintings of Diego Velázquez, Tintoretto, and Rembrandt. Jean Dubuffet influenced Barceló’s experimental approach. His involvement in the 1982 “Documenta 7” exhibition in Kassel, Germany, earned him worldwide acclaim.

Spanish artist Salvador Dali was among the most famous Spanish painters and one of the pioneers of Surrealism. He studied at the Art Institute in Madrid. Dali went to Paris, where he met Spanish artist Picasso. While in Paris, Dalí created one of his most famous paintings, The Persistence of Memory, in 1931.

Spanish artist El Greco is among the most influential and best-known Spanish painters. In Italy the artist took the Venetian Renaissance style of Jacopo Bassano, Titian, and Tintoretto, transforming him into an Italianate artist. He drew portraits of different men who gathered at the Farnese Palace after joining the household of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. Among his most famous artworks is The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.

Spanish artist Juan Gris studied mechanical drawing at the Escuela de Artes y Manufacturas in Madrid. All the drawings that he created during that period of time contributed to local periodicals. When the artist moved to Paris, he met and was influenced by Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, and Pablo Picasso. Eventually, Gris developed his own personal Cubist style of painting.

Spanish artist Francisco De Goya started painting by creating portraits. He attended the Royal Academy of San Fernando. Among his best-known portraits is The Duke and Duchess of Osung and their Children. He also painted moments of Spain’s history, creating a series of paintings that depicted the horrors of war with Napoleon.

Spanish artist Joan Miró attended the School of Art in Barcelona. The artist was known for painting genre scenes, still life, and landscapes. When he relocated to Paris in 1921, he was inspired by the Surrealism, Fauvism, and Cubism styles of painting. His geometric shapes, biomorphic forms, and semi-abstracted objects are expressed in engravings, installations, and ceramics.

Spanish artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo was one of the founders of the Seville Academy of Art. The artist was among the most admired European artists in the 18th and 19th centuries. His early artworks were influenced by Velasquez; however, he was considered more as a folklorist painter of Spanish Baroque. Most of his paintings were with a religious theme. Among his most recognizable artworks is Santa Maria La Blanca.

Spanish artist Pablo Picasso is among the greatest artists of the 20th century. He was also a sculptor, playwright, poet, and printmaker. The artist is known as the founder of Cubism and constructed sculpture.

From 1901 to 1904 was his Blue Period.

From 1904 to 1906 was his Rose Period.

Spanish Impressionist artist Joaquin Sorolla was best known for his creations of water and beach scenes. He was a proficient landscape and portrait painter. He practiced painting by copying Old Master paintings in the Prado Museum. The Hispanic Society of America chose Sorolla to create decorative artworks for its library in New York City.

Spanish artist Diego Velázquez lived in Italy from 1629 to 1631 and learned the artistic techniques of Italian painters. Returning to Spain, the artist drew a series of portraits of members of the king’s court. In 1649 he went back to Italy and created the portrait of Pope Innocent X. Among his most famous artworks is La Venus del Espejo.

Spanish artist Francisco Zurbaran moved to Seville, where he established his reputation as a talented painter. He became one of the leading artists of Andalusia and established his own workshop. Years later he moved to Madrid. (painting pictured above)