José de Alcíbar facts for kids
José de Alcíbar (also spelled Alzíbar) was an important Mexican painter who lived from about 1725 or 1730 to 1803. He was active as an artist for many years, from 1751 to 1801. His family came from the Basque Country, a region in Spain.
About His Life
José de Alcíbar likely learned to paint from famous artists of his time. He might have been a student of José de Ibarra. He also worked in the art studio of Miguel Cabrera, who was another well-known painter.
In 1784, Alcíbar helped start a very important art school called the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Carlos in Mexico City. He taught there as a professor and was involved in the school's activities until he passed away. He was known for being active in many cultural events in the city.
Even though he was a successful teacher, new painters trained in Spain, like Ginés Andrés de Aguirre and Cosme de Acuña, started arriving. These new artists brought different styles that greatly influenced art in Mexico.
His Art and Famous Works
Most of José de Alcíbar's paintings were about religious topics. He created many artworks for churches. He also painted portraits of important people.
Some of his religious works include five large decorated screens, called altarpieces. These were made for the Chapel of San Nicolás Tolentino at the Hospital Real de Indios and finished in 1781. A few years later, he painted two canvases for special flags, called pennons. These were for a group called the Galician Brothers, who had an altar in the chapel at the Convent of San Francisco in Mexico City.
One of his most famous paintings is La Adoración de los Reyes (The Adoration of the Kings), painted in 1775. You can find this painting in the sacristy (a room where sacred items are kept) of the Templo de San Marcos in Aguascalientes.
Among his portraits, you can see one of the Viceroy, Antonio María de Bucareli, at the Templo de la Profesa. Another important portrait is of Bishop Antonio de San Miguel, which is now at the Museo Regional Michoacano.
Gallery
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Sor (sister) María Ignacia de la Sangre de Cristo
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Sor María Margarita Leonarda Josefa de San Luis Gonzaga
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Sor María Anna Josefa
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Virgen de Guadalupe
See also
In Spanish: José de Alcíbar para niños
- Mexican art
