RAMÓN MARTÍ ALSINA (Barcelona, 1826 - 1894). "Landscape... Lot 41

RAMÓN MARTÍ ALSINA (Barcelona, 1826 - 1894). "Landscape with River". Oil on canvas. Signed in the lower right corner. Measurements: 40 x 58.5 cm; 67 x 85 cm (frame). Considered today as the most important figure of Spanish realism, Martí Alsina was part of the European avant-garde of the time. He revolutionised the Spanish artistic panorama of the 19th century, was a pioneer of the study of life and the creator of the modern Catalan school, as well as the master of a whole generation, with disciples of the importance of Vayreda, Urgell and Torrescassana. He began his studies in philosophy and literature, alternating them with evening classes at the Barcelona School of Fine Arts until 1848. From 1850 onwards his artistic career took off, and in 1852 he began his teaching career. . In 1853 he travelled to Paris, where he visited the Louvre and became familiar with the work of Horace Vernet, Eugène Delacroix and French Romanticism. Later he became acquainted with the work of Gustave Courbet, the greatest exponent of realism. In 1859 he was appointed a corresponding member of the Sant Jordi Academy of Fine Arts in Barcelona. His first important exhibition was the General Exhibition of Fine Arts in Barcelona in 1851. From then on he exhibited regularly in Barcelona, Madrid and Paris, and was invited to the Universal Exhibition in the French capital in 1889. His prizes included medals at the National Exhibitions in Madrid, third in 1858 for his work Last Day of Numancia and second in 1860 for his landscape. In his last years he lived in seclusion, focusing his efforts on the search for new forms of expression, with an undone brushstroke close to Impressionism. Works by Martí Alsina are kept in the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluña, the MACBA, the Museum of the Abbey of Montserrat and the Museum of l'Empordà, in Figueras.