JOSE MARIA LÓPEZ MEZQUITA (Granada, 1883 - Madrid,... Lot 23

JOSE MARIA LÓPEZ MEZQUITA (Granada, 1883 - Madrid, 1954) "Portrait of a child. Oil on canvas. Signed in the lower right corner. Size: 39 x 49 cm; 66 x 57 cm (frame). An outstanding painter of the late 19th and early 20th century, José María López Mezquita was a full member of the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid and an honorary member of the National Academy of Fine Arts in Paris. He began his training under the guidance of José Larrocha, and in 1897 he entered the San Fernando School of Fine Arts, where he was a disciple of Cecilio Pla. Shortly afterwards the Infanta Isabella of Bourbon awarded him a scholarship which enabled him to further his studies in France, Belgium, Holland, England and Italy. He won first medals at the National Fine Arts Exhibitions in Madrid in 1901 and 19010, and was a candidate for the medal of honour in the 1915 and 1924 editions. He was awarded the third medal at the Paris Salon of 1903, and the second medal at the International Exhibition of Barcelona in 1907 and at the International Exhibitions of Munich (1909) and San Francisco (1915). He was also awarded the top prize at the Buenos Aires International of 1910, the Barcelona International of 1911 and the Panama International of 1916. In 1952 he was awarded the prize of honour of the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid. López Mezquita is currently represented in the Prado Museum and the Fine Arts Museums of Granada and Álava, among others.