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https://www.coleccionbbva.com/es/autor/mongrell-i-torrent-jose/
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autor
14410
José Mongrell i Torrent
(Valencia, 1870 – Barcelona, 1937)
Author's artworks
19th-20th Century Spanish
Born into a humble family in Valencia in 1870, at the age of fifteen Mongrell enrolled at the San Carlos School of Fine Arts where he had Ignacio Pinazo (1849-1916) as a teacher. During this formative period, he already showed his skills as a portraitist and entered the
National Exhibition of Fine Arts
An official annual art exhibition held in Madrid since the mid-nineteenth century which set the guidelines for Spanish academic art at the time. It was divided into five sections: painting, sculpture, engraving, architecture and decorative arts. Painting was the core section around which the whole exhibition revolved. A number of distinctions were awarded: first, second and third class medals and an honorary medal or prize, sometimes called a mention of honour. The show was one of Spain’s most important national awards, and was viewed as a key event for all artists aspiring to achieve prestige in their careers. Due to its conservative and academicist nature, it showed little inclination to accept many of the emerging movements and the most innovative works were often rejected or displayed in secondary spaces (which soon came to be known as "crime rooms").
in Madrid for the first time, where he would continue participating throughout his career.
In 1899 he moved in Madrid where he attended the studio of Joaquín Sorolla (1863-1923) while also regularly visiting the Prado Museum to learn from the old masters, particularly Diego Velázquez (1599-1660). He excelled in the portrait genre, thanks to his academic training, and obtained many commissions.
In 1902 he started to achieve great success in creating posters for which he won a number of competitions. In fact, he was instrumental in introducing Modernismo in poster-making in Valencia. He won Third Medal at the 1904
National Exhibition of Fine Arts
An official annual art exhibition held in Madrid since the mid-nineteenth century which set the guidelines for Spanish academic art at the time. It was divided into five sections: painting, sculpture, engraving, architecture and decorative arts. Painting was the core section around which the whole exhibition revolved. A number of distinctions were awarded: first, second and third class medals and an honorary medal or prize, sometimes called a mention of honour. The show was one of Spain’s most important national awards, and was viewed as a key event for all artists aspiring to achieve prestige in their careers. Due to its conservative and academicist nature, it showed little inclination to accept many of the emerging movements and the most innovative works were often rejected or displayed in secondary spaces (which soon came to be known as "crime rooms").
in Madrid where he was also acclaimed by critics.
In 1906 he left Madrid and settled in the town of Cullera, near Valencia. There, inspired by the beach and the sea, his works reflected his learnings from Sorolla, capturing the everyday lives of peasants and fishermen and becoming one of the best exponents of local regional painting.
Two years later, one of his posters earned the artist an Honorary Mention at the
National Exhibition of Fine Arts
An official annual art exhibition held in Madrid since the mid-nineteenth century which set the guidelines for Spanish academic art at the time. It was divided into five sections: painting, sculpture, engraving, architecture and decorative arts. Painting was the core section around which the whole exhibition revolved. A number of distinctions were awarded: first, second and third class medals and an honorary medal or prize, sometimes called a mention of honour. The show was one of Spain’s most important national awards, and was viewed as a key event for all artists aspiring to achieve prestige in their careers. Due to its conservative and academicist nature, it showed little inclination to accept many of the emerging movements and the most innovative works were often rejected or displayed in secondary spaces (which soon came to be known as "crime rooms").
, further enhancing his prestige in poster-making and allowing him to secure a clientele. His growing recognition opened up the doors to the international art world and he took part in exhibitions in Buenos Aires and other Argentinian cities.
In 1913 Mongrell moved to Barcelona after being appointed Professor of Drawing at the School of Fine and Industrial Arts. There he increased his presence in exhibitions, showing works at Sala Parés and Círculo Artístico.
His fame grew in the 1920s. In 1923 the artist held his first solo exhibition at Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid, which had a major impact in the press. In 1927 he was commissioned to carry out part of the decoration of the Salón de San Jorge in the palace that houses the headquarters of the Generalitat de Cataluña (Catalan autonomous authority), attesting to his reputation at the time.
José Mongrell died in Barcelona on 5 November 1937 at the age of sixty-seven.