"Battle". PLA RUBIO, Alberto

ALBERTO PLA RUBIO (Villanueva de Castellón, Valencia, 1867 - Barcelona, 1937).
"Battle".
Oil on panel.
Signed in the lower left corner.
Measurements: 23 x 14 cm; 32 x 22 cm (frame).
In this canvas Pla Rubio represents a battle of the XIX century, possibly of the Carlist Wars judging by the uniforms of the soldiers that are presented. These form a battalion of chaotic aspect. The painter portrays a violent scene, in which even a dead man appears, lying on the ground, although his face is unknown to the viewer. Although we do not see the characters of the other side, we sense that they are located to the right of the soldiers because, weapons in hand, they look them in the eyes, challenging them to a never-ending battle.
A painter mainly focused on social themes, Pla Rubio studied art at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid, where he was a student of Alejandro Ferrant, to later broaden his training at the Academy of San Carlos in Valencia and in the workshop of Ignacio Pinazo. He participated in numerous exhibitions, obtaining first medal in the National Fine Arts of 1895 for his canvas "¡A la guerra!", and consideration of first medal in the 1901 edition, for "¡Pobres madres!". The same award was granted to him in 1899 at the General Exhibition of Fine Arts held in Barcelona, as well as in Munich in 1913. He was also awarded the second medal at the Paris Salon of 1901. He combined painting with teaching, which he did from the Academies of Fine Arts of Valencia and Cadiz, as well as from the School of La Lonja in Barcelona from 1903. After a first anecdotal stage, of realistic language and meticulous brushstroke, his style evolved towards a mature style of impressionist character, combined with a luminous concern of Sorollista influence and a much looser invoice. Currently, Pla Rubio is represented in the Prado Museum (work on deposit at the City Council of Alcalá de Henares), the Nelson Zúmel Collection of the Provincial Museum of Lugo, the Fine Arts Museum of Valencia and the MACBA in Barcelona, among others.