Germán Álvarez

GERMÁN ÁLVAREZ ALGECIRAS (Jerez de la Frontera, 1848-1912).
"The sultan on horseback".
Oil on canvas.
Signed in the lower left corner.
Measurements: 33 x 26 cm; 57 x 51 cm (frame).

Formed in School of Fine Arts of Cadiz in 1868, Germán Alvarez Algeciras received a scholarship to complete his studies in Rome. In the Italian capital he attended the Chigi Academy and the International Center of Fine Arts, where he frequented the circle of painters close to Fortuny and met José Jiménez Aranda and José García Ramos. In the eternal city he recreated the monaguillista theme like almost all the Spanish costumbrista painters of that time, following Fortuny. In 1876 he returned to Spain and took up residence in Seville. During these years he frequented few exhibitions, although he showed his works in the neo-Gothic style in the fish market of the Sevillian city. In 1879 he returned to Jerez de la Frontera, participating very actively in the artistic and public life of the city. He became director of the Academy of Fine Arts of Santo Domingo between 1885 and 1901, and the main architect of the boom that this institution acquired; he held the position of president of the section of Fine Arts in the Scientific, Literary and Artistic Athenaeum from 1897 to 1900. He was also dedicated to politics. His work is currently housed in the Museum of Fine Arts of Malaga and other important institutions.