Domènec Soberano facts for kids
Domènec Soberano i Mestres (1825, Reus - 1909, Reus) was a Catalan wine merchant. He was also a talented amateur painter and a respected art teacher.
Contents
A Life of Wine and Art
Domènec Soberano's father invented a better way to make sparkling wine. This invention helped the family business grow. It also allowed Domènec to travel all over Europe.
From Wine Warehouse to "Champagne de Reus"
In 1866, Domènec changed the family wine business. He turned their wine warehouse into a place that made "Champagne de Reus." His company was called Soberano & Cia. The very next year, in 1867, he showed his special Cava wine at a big event. This was the Exposition Universelle in Paris, France.
Discovering Painting and Teaching Art
During his travels, Domènec became very interested in different ways to paint. He found out about watercolors. At that time, watercolors were not very well known in Catalonia, Spain. He mostly taught himself how to paint. He always thought of himself as someone who painted for fun, not as a professional artist.
Domènec opened a drawing school in Reus. He taught there until 1888. He was good friends with Marià Fortuny Baró and Antoni Marsal. These men were the grandfather and uncle of a very famous painter named Marià Fortuny.
Mentoring a Young Artist: Marià Fortuny
Domènec Soberano was Marià Fortuny's first painting teacher. He quickly saw that young Marià had amazing talent. Domènec then suggested that Marià should study with a sculptor named Domènec Talarn. Talarn helped Marià move to Barcelona to continue his art studies. Marià Fortuny was very thankful to Domènec Soberano. They wrote letters to each other throughout their lives. Marià even gave Domènec some of his own artworks as gifts.
Other Talented Students
Domènec Soberano taught many other students who became well-known artists. Some of them include Baldomer Galofre, Josep Tapiró Baró, Joan Roig Solé, and Josep Llovera i Bufill. Domènec's own son, Càstul Soberano Roca, was also a promising painter. Sadly, he passed away when he was young.
Domènec Soberano's Own Artworks
Not many of Domènec Soberano's own paintings are famous today. He often painted still-lifes, which are pictures of objects like fruit or flowers. He also painted many watercolor landscapes. His portraits, which are pictures of people, were done in a classic style. He usually did not sign his paintings. He also created decorative paintings for several homes in Reus.
Toward the end of his life, Domènec spent his time collecting paintings and drawings. These were mostly works by his now-famous student, Marià Fortuny.
