The artistic career of José Gutiérrez Solana spanned the first half of the twentieth century, establishing him as a figure of Spanish Expressionism. Born in 1886 in Madrid, he developed a singular visual language that integrated the influences of El Greco and the dark, evocative themes found in Goya’s work, ultimately solidifying his presence within the intellectual circles of the era.
Formative Years and Training
Solana received his foundational drawing lessons from his uncle, José Díez Palma, a professor at the University of Salamanca. Between 1900 and 1904, he pursued formal studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando and the Instituto San Isidro. By 1906, he earned honorable mention at the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes, marking an early recognition of his technical skills as a painter and engraver.
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Following his parents' relocation to Cantabria in 1909, Solana divided his time between Santander and Madrid, frequently traveling through La Mancha, Aragón, and Andalucía. His creative process involved documenting local life through sketches and notes. He immersed himself in various social environments, from hospitals and cemeteries to the bustling markets at El Rastro, even spending time as an assistant in the team of a bullfighter named Bombé.
Madrid Intellectual Circles
In 1917, he established a permanent base in Madrid, where he frequented the Museo del Prado and the National Archaeological Museum. He became a fixture at the Nuevo Café de Levante and the Café Pombo, engaging in regular discussions with members of the Generación del '98, including Ramón del Valle Inclán, Ricardo Baroja, and Ignacio Zuloaga. These associations provided the backdrop for his mature artistic output.
Literary and International Context
Beyond visual arts, Solana maintained a significant literary practice, producing accounts of his travels and descriptions of customs. In 1920, he published La España negra, followed by Madrid callejero in 1923 and the novel Florencio Cornejo in 1926. His international career faced challenges; a 1928 exhibition in Paris was unsuccessful, and some of his works were obscured during a visit by King Alfonso XIII. However, by the onset of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, he had achieved widespread recognition throughout Europe.
Fast facts
- Born: 1886, Madrid
- Died: 1945, Madrid
- Movement: Expressionism
- Occupations: Painter, writer, engraver
- Education: Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando
- Burial site: La Almudena Cemetery
- Notable writing: La España negra (1920)
Questions readers ask
What movements influenced Solana’s artistic style?
He is primarily identified with Expressionism, with his work drawing heavy stylistic influence from El Greco, the Black Paintings of Goya, and Eugenio Lucas Velázquez.
What is the scope of his literary work?
Solana authored several books, primarily detailing his travels and local customs, including the novel Florencio Cornejo and the two-volume collection Madrid: escenas y costumbres.
Achievements
- Movement: Expressionism
