Cesáreo Bernaldo de Quirós

Cesareo Bernaldo de Quirós was born in Gualeguay, Entre Ríos, in 1879. Driven by his artistic vocation, he settled in Buenos Aires where where Vicente Nicolau Cotanda became his first teacher. Later, at the Sociedad Estímulo de Bellas Artes, he was guided by Della Valle, Correa Morales, Giudici and dela Cárcova. In 1899 he won the scholarship to study in Europe, leaving the following year for Rome to further his training. At the 1901 Venice Biennale he obtained a Mention Award, and at the 1904 Saint Louis Exposition (USA) a Bronze Medal. Upon returning to Argentina in 1905, he exhibited his works at the Costa Salon and, after joining the local artistic circles, he co-founded the "Nexus" group, participating in its exhibitions. Based in Europe, he had residences in Florence, Mallorca and Paris. The Great War forced him to return in 1915. Years later he withdrew to an estate in the Province of Entre Ríos where he produced his most important series, a series of paintings that he called "Los Gauchos" and in which he reflected the spirit, history, customs and characters of the land. These works were exhibited in Buenos Aires in 1928 and later toured in Spain, Germany, England, France and the United States with great success. The tour lasted until 1936, the year in which Quirós returned to the country definitively. He was appointed member of the National Academy of Fine Arts. He died in the town of Vicente López in 1968.