Miguel Parra Abril

MIGUEL PARRA ABRIL (Valencia, 1780 - Madrid, 1846).
"Still life of lobster and fish".
Oil on canvas.
Signed in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 63 x 47 cm; 83 x 67 cm (frame).

Miguel Parra was formed in the School of Fine Arts of San Carlos of Valencia, having as teachers Benito Espinós and Vicente López, who would become his brother-in-law. Author of vases, still lifes and notable portraitist, he also tackled landscape, ornaments and large religious compositions, such as the paintings that decorate the doors of the Reliquary of the Cathedral of Valencia. His work was continued by his son, José Felipe Parra, and by his grandson, named after him. His progress in oil, tempera and fresco painting earned him a good reputation in artistic circles from a very young age, winning several prizes in the general competitions of the Academy of San Carlos (1795, 1798 and 1801). In fact, he was appointed professor of the School of Fine Arts of San Carlos, and chamber painter of King Ferdinand VII and Queen Isabella II. Painter of success and honors, academic of San Carlos and San Fernando, Parra was also in charge of forming the Provincial Museum of Valencia, where a good part of his work can be found. In 1818 Parra painted the "Triumphal Entry of Ferdinand VII in Zaragoza", which is currently preserved in the Royal Palace of Madrid, a painting that is a good example of the type of art dedicated to the political propaganda of the time, as well as representing a highly significant and almost unknown part of the production of the Valencian artist. Parra is currently represented in the Museo del Prado and the Museo de Bellas Artes San Pío V in Valencia, among others, as well as in important private collections.