Saturday, May 23, 2020

Luis Jiménez Aranda, Capturing Everyday Life

Luis Jiménez y Aranda (Edit: and his brother Jose) (1845–1928) painted moments from ordinary life in Spain.  

Jose Jiménez y Aranda The Bibliophiles, 1879
Here he shows book lovers from various walks of life surveying the wares. To paint scenes like this, he used models, and he would have set up the actual costumes on lay figures. 
Luis Jiménez y Aranda, The Artist's Studio
Here he paints of an artist's studio, showing the artist with his palette standing behind a wealthy patron, as a model lounges in a festive pose on the far right.

 Jose Jiménez y Aranda, Self Portrait
Luis Jiménez y Aranda was part of a worldwide artistic movement using realism to capture the detail of everyday life.
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Previously on GJ: Costumbrism

7 comments:

  1. Costumes look anachronistic to me. More 18th century. At least by American standards. Was artist painting bygone days?

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  2. Jean, yes, it's true that Jimenez, like Vibert, Meissonier, and others loved to paint everyday scenes from the eighteenth century as well as the 19th c.

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  3. James, I don't know that I've ever seen a painting that reminded me of your work so much as the Bibliophiles! Throw in a few dinosaurs and I'd readily believe this was Dinotopia, with the slightly fantastic apparel and the rich colors.

    I'd also like to point out that the two monks in the middle are clearly Dominicans based on their habits, and there's a parish priest in front of the church in background. It's a beautiful painting and it makes this Catholic happy! Thank you.

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  4. That self-portrait looks like one of those limited palette, buff-colored paper examples you discussed recently. And I’m fascinated how artists render texture of fabric like velvet or silk and look so real you think you could feel it if you could touch it.

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  5. Just came across your blog and am enjoying the diversity of posts. Very interesting content. Thanks

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  6. Hi James, the first and the last images are actually by Luis' older brother, Jose Jimenez Aranda. Luis essayed a number of subjects, including scenes of modern French modern life after settling there.

    Jose, on the other hand, was the more famous brother and the one most associated with Spanish costumbrismo. He was also part of the Fortuny circle and a mentor to Sorolla.

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  7. Ramon, thanks for clarifying. I have added Jose's name to the first and last images.

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