Rafael Martínez Padilla

RAFAEL MARÍA MARTÍNEZ PADILLA (Málaga, 1878 - Barcelona, 1961).
"Le Pont Neuf, Paris".
Oil on panel.
Signed in the lower left corner.
Measurements: 46 x 53 cm; 63 x 72 cm (frame).
Rafael Martinez Padilla resided in Barcelona from his childhood, until 1937 when he moved to France. He returns to Barcelona in 1950. Later he will study in the School of Fine Arts of Sant Jordi, and from 1904 he will take part in most of the official contests and exhibitions celebrated in Barcelona. That year he participated in the Universal Exhibition of 1904 with "El dolor", a work that won a prize, and in 1906 he was distinguished at the National Fine Arts Exhibition in Madrid with an honorary mention for one of the works he presented, entitled "Sic transit". He also obtained a second medal in the International of Barcelona in 1907, for his painting "Marina". He also held individual exhibitions, especially the one held in 1905 at the Sala Parés, where he reiterated his presence later. Padilla was a friend of Luis Bagaria, and frequented Els Quatre Gats. During his stay in France he mainly cultivated landscape painting, and held several exhibitions both in Paris and Honfleur. He achieved special success with the one held in 1949 at the Parisian gallery Berheim-Jeune. He also stood out as a portraitist, and painted with success still life subjects and elegant female figures. In 1950, on his return from Paris, he held his last exhibition in Barcelona. He is currently represented in the MACBA, in the Fundación del Banco Hispano Americano and in other important Spanish and foreign art galleries.