Manuel Rivera (painter) facts for kids

Manuel Rivera (born April 23, 1927, died January 2, 1995) was a famous Spanish painter. He helped start an important group of artists called "El Paso" in Madrid. This group was a big part of the new and exciting art movement in Spain after World War II. You can see his paintings in famous museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

Life and Career

Manuel Rivera was born in Granada, Spain. When he was young, he started learning to be a sculptor in Martín Simón's studio. But soon, he became more interested in painting.

Early Training and Exhibitions

In 1945, at age 18, he began studying painting at the Escuela Superior de Bellas Artes de Seville. This school is now part of the University of Seville. His first big art show was in Granada in 1947. After finishing his studies, he moved to Madrid in 1951. There, he became known for painting large murals and frescos. These are big paintings on walls and ceilings in public places and churches. He received many jobs to paint these in cities all over Spain.

From Figurative to Abstract Art

At first, Rivera painted in a "figurative" style. This means his art showed things that looked real, like people or objects. But in the 1950s, he started working in an "abstract" style. Abstract art uses shapes, colors, and lines to create feelings or ideas, rather than showing real-life things. In 1953, he took part in a special meeting about abstract art in Santander.

The El Paso Group

In 1957, Manuel Rivera helped create the "El Paso group" in Madrid. He started it with other artists like Rafael Canogar, Luis Feito, Juana Francés, Manolo Millares, Pablo Serrano, Antonio Suárez, and Antonio Saura. Art critics José Ayllón and Manolo Conde also joined the group.

From 1957 to 1960, Rivera and the other artists in El Paso held many art shows. They showed their work in Spain and in other countries. Their art had a big impact on how Spanish art developed. The group's last show was in Rome in 1960. Years later, in 2004, the Marlborough Gallery held a special show of their works called ‘El Paso, 1957-1960’.

Later Work and Awards

In 1967, Rivera began trying out new art ideas from Asian cultures. His work became even more unique. In 1981, he received a very important award from Spain. It was the gold medal for Merit in Fine Arts. He also received the Chevalier's Cross of l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from France. This award honors people who have made important contributions to art and literature.

See also

In Spanish: Manuel Rivera Hernández para niños