18^th Century Spanish

Painter of religious works, portraits and frescoes.

Considered the leading exponent of Sevillian painting in the first half of the 18^th century, Martínez had trained under significant artists such as Juan Antonio Osorio and Lucas Valdés.

His life and work are bound to his city of birth, turning down an opportunity to move to the court in Madrid. When Philip V moved his court to Seville from 1729 to 1733 Martínez made the acquaintance of French painters, including Jean Ranc, whose influence is patent in his works.

Noteworthy in his output is a series of eight canvasses depicting the allegorical floats that paraded through the streets of Seville in 1747 to celebrate the accession to the throne of Ferdinand VI and Barbara of Portugal, works in which his assistants Andrés Rubira and Francisco Miguel Jiménez most likely collaborated. His prolific career came to an end with the works he was making for the San Luis de los Franceses church when he died.