Simó Gómez facts for kids
Simó Gómez Polo (born November 11, 1845 – died June 11, 1880) was a talented painter and engraver from Catalonia, a region in Spain. He was known for his "Realist" style of art. This means he painted things as they looked in real life, rather than making them look perfect or imaginary.
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Early Life and Studies
Simó Gómez Polo was born in Barcelona, Spain. He began his art education at the Escola de la Llotja, a famous art school. There, he learned from a well-known teacher named Ramón Martí Alsina. Simó also studied lithography, which is a way of printing images, with Eusebi Planas.
Journey to Paris
When Simó was seventeen, he traveled to Paris, France, with his brother Enric. Enric was also an engraver. They hoped to find work with a French printer named Alfred Lemercier. However, once in Paris, Simó decided he wanted to be a painter instead.
He enrolled at the École des Beaux-arts, a prestigious art school. To prepare for his entrance exam, he worked in the studios of famous artists like Alexandre Cabanel and Tony Robert-Fleury.
Discovering Realism
While in Paris, Simó spent a lot of time in museums. He copied paintings by old masters to learn from them. During this period, he changed his art style. He moved away from "Academic art," which followed strict rules, and started painting in the "Realist" style. He was greatly inspired by the works of artists like Édouard Manet and Eugène Delacroix.
Return to Spain
Simó's family could no longer afford to support him in Paris. His teachers, Cabanel and Fleury, were very impressed with his talent. They asked Queen Isabella II to give him money to continue his studies. Unfortunately, the Queen said no because she had already given out many such grants. So, Simó and his brother Enric had to return to Spain.
Career and Studio
After returning to Barcelona, Simó lived in Madrid for about a year and a half. He often visited the Museo del Prado, a famous art museum, to copy paintings by master artists. During this time, he received several important jobs. One project was to decorate a palace with another painter, José Marcelo Contreras.
A Meeting Place for Artists
When Simó returned home to Barcelona, he opened his own art studio. It was in the Poble Sec area of the city. His studio quickly became a popular meeting spot for local artists. Many young artists, including Lluís Graner, Josep Cusachs, and Joan Brull, had their first art lessons there.
Later Work and Legacy
In 1874, Simó Gómez painted Arrepentimiento de Judas (The Repentance of Judas). He submitted this painting when he applied for a teaching job at the Escola de la Llotja. However, another artist named Antoni Caba was chosen for the position instead.
Simó Gómez Polo passed away in Barcelona when he was only 34 years old. Despite his short life, he left behind important works and influenced many artists in Catalonia.
See also
In Spanish: Simón Gómez para niños
