Bernardo López Piquer facts for kids

Bust of Bernardo López, by Josep Piquer i Duart (around the 1860s)

Bernardo López Piquer (born August 20, 1799 or 1800, in Valencia; died August 1, 1874, in Madrid) was a famous Spanish painter. He was especially known for his portraits. He often used pastels, which are like colored chalks.

A Family of Artists

Bernardo's father was Vicente López Portaña, a very well-known portrait painter. His brother, Luis, also became a painter. Bernardo and Luis sometimes worked together. For example, they painted at Orihuela Cathedral.

Learning and Working

In 1825, Bernardo and his brother joined the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. This was an important art school in Spain. Because his father was famous, Bernardo got a job at the Royal Palace. There, he painted portraits in a style similar to his father's.

Important Roles

After 1844, Bernardo became the Director of Studies at the Real Academia. From 1845 until he passed away, he was the President of the Painting Section. Starting in 1843, he worked as a court painter for Queen Isabel II. He was even her "Primer Pintor" (First Painter) from 1858 to 1868. He lost this job after a big change in the Spanish government, known as the Glorious Revolution.

Famous Paintings

Here are some of Bernardo López Piquer's notable works:

• Retrato de la Reina Madre María Teresa de Braganza (Portrait of Queen Mother María Teresa de Braganza)
• Retrato de Isabel II (Portrait of Queen Isabel II)
• Retrato de Vicente López (Portrait of Vicente López, his father)
• San Pascual Bailón adorando la Eucaristía (Saint Pascual Bailón Adoring the Eucharist)
• Retrato de D. Manuel Fernández Varela, Comisario General de Cruzada (Portrait of Mr. Manuel Fernández Varela)
• Los alabarderos José Díaz y Francisco Torán (The Halberdiers José Díaz and Francisco Torán)

See also

In Spanish: Bernardo López Piquer para niños