Aurelio Arteta Y Errasti

AURELIO ARTETA Y ERRASTI (Bilbao, 1879 - Mexico, 1940).
"Boys on the pier".
Charcoal on paper.
Attached certificate of authenticity issued by the gallery Lorenart, Madrid.
It presents damages in the frame.
Signed in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 35 x 24 cm; 59 x 48 cm (frame).
Aurelio Arteta's paintings and drawings were tinged with melancholy, always cultivating the Basque theme, both the rural landscape, as in this case, as well as the social transformation with industrialization. Aurelio Arteta began his studies at the School of Arts and Crafts in Bilbao, and later extended his studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. In 1902 he obtained a scholarship that allowed him to travel to Paris, where he completed his training. Later he also visited Italy. He was founder of the Association of Basque Artists, and carried out important commissions such as the frescoes of the Bank of Bilbao in Madrid. In 1921 Arteta received the most important commission of his professional career, when he was entrusted with the decoration of the bank's lobby. He prepared conscientiously the realization of the paintings, and sought the advice of Manuel Losada, who advised him on technical aspects and materials. He also traveled to Italy to investigate the optimal materials for fresco work in the experience of the old masters. As an experiment, he made a small work: En la romería (currently in the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum), for the house that Bastida had in the town of Ondárroa, which helped him to become familiar with the technique of "buon fresco". In 1924 he was appointed first director of the newly created Museum of Modern Art of Bilbao, and six years later he received the National Painting Prize. He was also awarded the first medal at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in 1932. He is currently represented in the Fine Arts Museums of Bilbao and Alava, the Museum of San Telmo in San Sebastian and in numerous private collections.