José María López Mezquita

JOSÉ MARÍA LÓPEZ MEZQUITA (Granada, 1883 - Madrid, 1954)
"Granada".
Watercolor on paper.
Signed in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 44 x 31 cm; 50 x 37 cm (frame).
Outstanding painter of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, José María López Mezquita was a member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid and honorary member of the National Academy of Fine Arts in Paris. He began his training under the guidance of José Larrocha, and in 1897 he entered the Escuela Superior de San Fernando, where he was a disciple of Cecilio Pla. Shortly after, the Infanta Isabel de Borbón granted him a scholarship that allowed him to further his studies in France, Belgium, Holland, England and Italy. In the National Exhibitions of Fine Arts of Madrid he obtained first medal in 1901 and 19010, and he was aspiring to medal of honor in the editions of 1915 and 1924. He was awarded the third medal at the Paris Salon of 1903, and the second medal at the International Exhibition of Barcelona in 1907 and at the International Exhibitions of Munich (1909) and San Francisco (1915). He was also awarded the top prize at the Buenos Aires International of 1910, the Barcelona International of 1911 and the Panama International of 1916. In 1952 he was awarded the prize of honor of the Círculo de Bellas Artes of Madrid. Currently, López Mezquita is represented in the Prado Museum and the Fine Arts Museums of Granada and Alava, among others.