Francisco Sans Cabot facts for kids
Francisco Sans Cabot (born April 9, 1828, in Girona – died May 5, 1881, in Madrid) was a talented painter from Catalonia, a region in Spain. He was also the Director of the important Museo del Prado art museum from 1873 to 1881.
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Early Life and Art Training
Francisco Sans Cabot's father was a sailor in the Royal Spanish Navy. Francisco went to an art school called the Escola de la Llotja from 1850 to 1855. At first, his family wanted him to study silversmithing, which is making things out of silver. But Francisco decided he wanted to be a painter instead.
The next year, he traveled to Paris, France, to learn more about painting. He studied with famous artists like Thomas Couture and Horace Vernet.
Becoming a History Painter
In 1858, Francisco won an award at an art show in Rome, Italy. He won for a painting that showed a writer named Francisco de Quevedo seeing Martin Luther in a vision. After this, he decided to focus on painting historical scenes. These are paintings that show important moments from history.
In 1865, he came back to Spain. A local government group in Barcelona asked him to paint a picture of General Juan Prim fighting in the Hispano-Moroccan War.
Leading the Museo del Prado
After Queen Isabel II was no longer queen, Francisco went back to Girona. But soon after the First Spanish Republic was created, he was chosen to be the Director of the Museo del Prado. This is one of the most famous art museums in the world, located in Madrid. He took over from Antonio Gisbert, who had left the job.
As director, Francisco worked hard to restore and fix the museum's oldest paintings. During his time there, the museum received a very special gift: the "Black Paintings" by the famous artist Francisco de Goya. These paintings were moved from the walls of Goya's home onto canvas by an art restorer named Salvador Martínez Cubells.
After 1875, Sans Cabot also became a member of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, which is a prestigious art academy.
Later Works and Style Change
Towards the end of his life, Francisco Sans Cabot changed his painting style again. He started painting in a more realistic way, showing things as they truly looked.
In 1881, he received his last big painting job. The University of Barcelona asked him to paint King Alfonso XII. The king was shown wearing the special uniform of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Francisco also helped decorate several theaters, including the Teatro Real, Teatro Apolo, and the Teatro de la Zarzuela. He also created large wall paintings, called murals, at the Alcázar de Toledo.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Sans Cabot para niños
