- Antonio de La Gandara
Antonio de La Gandara (
December 16 ,1861 -June 30 ,1917 ) was a painter,pastel list and draughtsman.He was born in
Paris ,France , but his father was of Spanish ancestry, born inSan Luis Potosi ,Mexico , and his mother was fromEngland . La Gandara's talent was strongly influenced by both cultures. At only 15 years of age, Gandara was admitted as a student ofJean-Léon Gérôme and Cabanes at the "Ecole des Beaux-Arts ". Soon, he was recognized by the jury of the 1883 "Salon des Champs-Elysées", who singled out the first work he ever exhibited: a portrait ofSaint Sebastian .Less than ten years later, young Gandara had become one of the favourite artists of the Paris elite. His models included Countess Greffulhe, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg, the Princess of Chimay, the Prince de Polignac, the Prince de Sagan,
Charles Leconte de Lisle ,Paul Verlaine , Leonor Uriburu de Anchorena,Sarah Bernhardt ,Romaine Brooks ,Jean Moreas , andWinnaretta Singer . Influenced by Chardin, his unique skill is demonstrated in his portraits, in a simplicity with the finest detail, or in the serenity of his scenes of the bridges, parks, and streets ofParis .Gandara illustrated a small number of publications, including "Les Danaïdes" by
Camille Mauclair . WithJames McNeill Whistler ,Jean-Louis Forain , and Yamamoto, La Gandara illustrated "Les Chauves-Souris" ("The Bats") by the French poetRobert de Montesquiou . The book, published in 1893, has become a rare collector's item. The first exhibition of Gandara's work organised in New York by Durand-Ruel in 1898 was a major success and confirmed the painter as one of the masters of his time. Major newspapers and magazines routinely reproduced his portraits, several of which made the front page of publications like the fashionable "Le Figaro " magazine. Gandara participated in the most important exhibitions in Paris,Brussels ,Berlin ,Dresden ,Barcelona andSaragossa .One of the most talented artists of the Belle Epoque, La Gandara died on
June 30 ,1917 , and was interred inPère Lachaise ,Paris, France . Although his fame faded rapidly after his death, growing interest in the 19th century saw Gandara regain popularity as a key witness to the art of his time, not only through his canvases, but also as the model chosen by the novelistsJean Lorrain andMarcel Proust , and through the anecdotes of his own life narrated byEdmond de Goncourt , Georges-Michel, and Montesquiou.External links
* [http://www.lagandara.fr Site officiel d'antonio de la gandara ] at www.lagandara.fr
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