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Adolfo Giráldez Peñalver: Famous 19th century sailor

19th Century Paintings

In this post we continue with the series of articles dedicated to prominent authors in the 19th century paintings, in this case we talk about the life and work of Adolfo Giráldez Peñalver.

Little has been written about the life of this great painter, in fact, in addition to his place of birth and date (Cádiz, 1840), and the data of his death (Barcelona, ​​1923), few more personal data are held about it. The best known is related to his work and the achievements and recognitions of his professional career.

These recognitions obtained have been known over the years, thanks to the stories of contemporary peers from the world of culture. For example, the writer Francisco Cuenca, who said that he met him in 1923 and was already over 60 years old, so that the approximate date of his birth can be known.

These were some of his most honored works and works, most of them have the theme of the sea and ships, so he was considered a marinist:

  • In 1874 he was designated as Assistant Professor of Landscape and Perspective Drawing of the School of Fine Arts of Cádiz.
  • Before 1883 - according to Ossorio - he had already made The steam «Liniers» and The steam «Antonio López», "Portraits" of ships requested by the companies responsible for said vessels.
  • He also painted a view of the port of Cádiz, with which he won a bronze medal in the Cadiz exhibition of 1879.

In 1882, he moved to Madrid and then to Barcelona, ​​where he lived the rest of his life. In Barcelona he made important works with the Guadalquivir river, the Giralda and the Torre del Oro as the main elements.

In this last time of his life, it is when he coincides with Francisco Cuenca. The writer knows first-hand the great skills of the painter and tells that he is struck by the need that Adolfo Giráldez Peñalver had to paint a painting practically every day.

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