Francesc Gimeno i Arasa Facts for Kids

In this Catalan name, the first or paternal family name is Gimeno and the second or maternal family name is Arasa; both are generally joined by the conjunction "i".

Quick facts for kids Francesc Gimeno i Arasa
Self-portrait with Cap (1917)
Born	Francesc Gimeno i Arasa (1858-02-04)4 February 1858 Tortosa, Catalonia, Spain
Died	22 November 1927(1927-11-22) (aged 69) Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Nationality	Spanish
Known for	Painting
Movement	Realism

Francesc Gimeno i Arasa (born February 4, 1858, in Tortosa – died November 22, 1927, in Barcelona) was a Spanish painter and graphic artist. He is best known for his beautiful paintings of landscapes, city scenes, and self-portraits.

A Young Artist's Journey
Finding His Own Path
Exhibitions and Patrons
His Unique Style
Gallery
See also

A Young Artist's Journey

After finishing his basic schooling, Francesc Gimeno moved to Barcelona in 1880. There, he worked as a painter who decorated buildings. He also started a small art school with some friends.

In 1884, with help from a lithographer named Francisco Tió, he moved to Madrid. He studied at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. He learned from a famous landscape painter, Carlos de Haes. Francesc also spent time at the Museo del Prado, where he copied paintings by the great artist Velázquez. This helped him learn from the masters.

Finding His Own Path

In 1887, Francesc moved to Torroella de Montgrí. Two years later, he settled on the Costa Brava, a beautiful coastal area. Here, he painted many scenes of the sea.

In 1888, he received an honorable mention at the Exposición Universal de Barcelona. This was a big art show.

When he returned to Barcelona the next year, he chose to work alone. He stayed in an old decorator's studio and did not join the city's art community. The reasons for this are not fully known.

Exhibitions and Patrons

It wasn't until 1915 that Francesc held a small art show. His friends strongly encouraged him to do it. This exhibition took place at the Dalmau Galleries [ca].

During this time, he reconnected with an old friend from childhood, Doctor Francesc de Paula Bedós i Arnal [ca]. The Doctor became his patron, which means he supported Francesc's art. After this, Francesc spent long periods at the Doctor's home in Sabadell. He painted for a small group of local customers there.

He also took part in a few other art shows. These included exhibitions in Barcelona in 1917 and in Begur in 1920.

His Unique Style

Francesc Gimeno painted around 200 self-portraits. These paintings of himself look quite different from his other works. He was known for having a strong personality and few close friends. Even with some success, he often faced poverty.

The writer, Josep Pla, described him as a "primitive, marginal, anarchic being." This means he painted from his feelings and instinct, not always following traditional rules.

In 2006, the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya held a special exhibit about him. It was called "Francesc Gimeno, un artista maleït," which means "Francesc Gimeno, a cursed/damned artist."

Francesc's oldest son, Martí Gimeno i Massaguer [ca], also became an artist. He was a painter, a sculptor, and an art critic.