Romà Ribera Facts for Kids

Romà Ribera (around 1885)

Romà Ribera i Cirera (born December 13, 1848, in Barcelona; died May 29, 1935, in Barcelona) was a talented painter from Catalonia, Spain. He was known for his genre paintings. This means he painted scenes from everyday life. Romà Ribera loved to show modern events from the lives of wealthy people. He painted these scenes with amazing detail. He also painted many pictures showing life in the 1600s and 1700s.

Early Life and Training
Success in Paris
Return to Barcelona
Selected Paintings
See also

Early Life and Training

Romà Ribera started his art training in Barcelona. He studied at the Escola de la Llotja. He also attended a private school run by Pere Borrell del Caso.

In 1873, he traveled to Rome, Italy. He went there to finish his art studies. While in Rome, he met another famous artist, Marià Fortuny. Fortuny's paintings greatly influenced Romà Ribera's own style. After leaving Italy, Romà Ribera visited London to show his artwork.

Success in Paris

Once he became a well-known artist, Romà Ribera moved to Paris, France. At that time, many artists were interested in a new style called impressionism. But Romà Ribera found his inspiration in the works of artists like James Tissot and Alfred Stevens.

In 1878, he had great success at the Exposition Universelle, a big world fair. This success helped him get Adolphe Goupil as his art agent. An agent helps artists sell their work. To earn more money, Romà Ribera decided to paint for wealthy people. He showed their daily activities and their beautiful possessions in his art.

Return to Barcelona

Romà Ribera had a big art show at the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition. There, he displayed many of his watercolor paintings. He returned to Barcelona in 1889. He then showed his art at the Sala Parés, a famous art gallery. In Barcelona, he continued to paint for wealthy clients, just as he had done in Paris. Sometimes, he would travel to Madrid to exhibit his paintings there.

In 1902, Romà Ribera became a member of the Reial Acadèmia Catalana de Belles Arts de Sant Jordi. This is a very important art academy. He was also chosen to be part of the "Catalan Museum Board [ca]". This board helps manage museums in Catalonia.