Mariano Benlliure

Mariano Benlliure was a Spanish sculptor, considered the last great master of 19th century realism. He who would be one of the most famous Spanish sculptors of all time began to cultivate in his youth a subject in which he occupies a prominent place: tauromaquia, with representations in bronze of the various scenarios and protagonists of the toreo. At the age of thirteen he participated in the National Exhibition of Fine Arts of 1876 presenting a group of wax sculptures called "The Catch of a Picador". His main dedication, however, was then painting, which he continued to cultivate in Paris alongside his master Domingo Marqués. In 1879 he went to Rome, where, fascinated by Michelangelo, he abandoned the brushes to devote himself exclusively to sculpture. He moved to Rome in 1881, a mecca at that time of Spanish artists who made their artistic formative journeys. One of the first works that gave him international recognition was "Acccidenti!", which he presented first in clay in the Associazione Artistica Internazionale of Rome (1882) with the title "Chierico scottato"; then in gypsum (in Munich and Paris) and finally, in Madrid melted in bronze by Crescenci in 1884, acquired by the Duke of Fernan-Nuñez for 30,000 royal—which earned him a medal in the exhibition. He alternated his stays in Rome with trips to Paris and won first medals at the International Exhibitions in Berlin, Munich, Vienna and Paris. He received distinguished foreign decorations, such as the French Legion of Honor, and the special medal of Emperor Francis Joseph. In 1900 he won the Medal of Honor in Sculpture at the Universal Exhibition in Paris for a set of works. In Spain, he was awarded the Golden Medal of the Circle of Fine Arts in Madrid in 1924 for his book La lección. He was president of the Association of Spanish Writers and Artists from 1929 to 1947. In addition, he was director of the Spanish Academy in Rome, general director of Fine Arts and Director of the Museum of Modern Art in Madrid, as well as a member of various Academies of Fines Arts of Spanish and foreign cities.