Andrés de la Calleja facts for kids

Andrés de la Calleja was an important Spanish painter who lived in the 1700s. He was known for his art and for helping to set up a famous art school in Madrid. He also worked to restore old paintings for the Spanish kings.
Contents
The Life of Andrés de la Calleja
Early Life and Training
Andrés de la Calleja was born on December 6, 1705, in a region of Spain called Rioja. He learned to paint from a teacher named G. A. Ezquerra. Andrés was very good at painting from a young age. His early work was so impressive that he quickly gained recognition.
Working for the Kings
Because of his talent, King Philip V gave him an important job. Later, in 1752, King Ferdinand VI made him the first Director of a new art school. This school was called the Academy at Madrid. Under Andrés de la Calleja's leadership, the Academy became a well-known place for artists to learn.
Restoring Old Paintings
In his later years, Andrés de la Calleja spent a lot of his time restoring old paintings. These paintings belonged to the king. Restoring means carefully fixing and cleaning old artworks so they look better and last longer. This was a very important job because it helped preserve valuable art for the future.
His Artworks and Legacy
Andrés de la Calleja's best paintings can be found in churches in Madrid. Some of his famous works are in the churches of Santa Cruz and San Felipe el Real. He passed away in Madrid on January 2, 1785. His work as a painter and his efforts in establishing the Academy left a lasting mark on Spanish art.
See also
In Spanish: Andrés de la Calleja para niños