Sebastián Gessa y Arias facts for kids
Sebastián Gessa y Arias (born May 8, 1840, died January 9, 1920) was a famous Spanish painter. He was known as El pintor de las flores, which means "The painter of flowers". This is because he loved to paint flowers, as well as still lifes and bodegones. A still life painting shows objects that don't move, like fruit, flowers, or everyday items.
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Life and Art of Sebastián Gessa
Sebastián Gessa y Arias started his art studies at the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Cádiz. This was an art school in Spain. In 1864, he received a special scholarship. This scholarship allowed him to study art in Paris, France.
Studying Art in Paris
In Paris, Sebastián Gessa joined a famous art school called the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Here, he learned from a well-known artist named Alexandre Cabanel. Sebastián stayed in Paris until 1870. During his time there, he showed his paintings in several art shows. One important show was the Exposition Universelle (1867), a big world's fair.
Returning to Spain and New Works
After his time in Paris, Sebastián Gessa moved back to Spain. He settled in the city of Madrid. He became well-known for his decorative artwork. He created many beautiful decorations at the Palacio de Linares. This palace was the home of a nobleman. A lot of his work there featured flowers. This helped set the style for the rest of his painting career.
Awards and Achievements
Sebastián Gessa won several awards for his art. In 1881, he received a gold medal at an art show in Cádiz. He also showed his work for the first time at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts (Spain). He won a Third Class medal at the Exposition Universelle (1889) in Paris.
His biggest success came in 1897. At the National Exhibition, he won a First Class prize for his painting called "Flowers and Fruits". This was a very special moment. It was the first time that the top award was given to a still life painting. Before this, judges usually preferred big paintings of historical events or myths.
Teaching and Later Life
Many talented painters learned from Sebastián Gessa in his art studio. Some of his students included Fernanda Frances Arribas, Marcelina Poncela Hontoria, Julia Alcayde y Montoya, and Adela Ginés y Ortiz. Adela was his favorite student. After facing some financial difficulties, he lived with her. When Adela passed away in 1918, Sebastián Gessa faced more challenges.
Where to See His Art
You can find Sebastián Gessa's paintings in several art museums. These include the Museo del Prado in Madrid and the Museo de Cádiz. His works are also in the Museo de Bellas Artes de Murcia and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Argentina). Some of his paintings are also part of private art collections, like the Colección Bellver in Seville.
See also
In Spanish: Sebastián Gessa y Arias para niños
