biography
JOSE GUTIÉRREZ SOLANA
1886
Born in Madrid on 28 February, in the middle of the Carnival.
1891-94
During his childhood, he suffers various tragic events: the deaths of his little sister and his cousin, and the accident involving his dog, which were to influence the introverted character of the artist and the tone and themes of his art and literature.
Throughout his childhood he spends the winters in Madrid and long summer periods in Santander, where his parents were from.
1898
His father, best friend and protector, dies. From then on his brother Manuel is a constant support for him.
His mother starts showing signs of dementia.
1902
He enters the Special College of Painting, Drawing and Etching (today the Fine Arts faculty) where he remains for four years. He is not very interested in the teaching there, except for the classes relating to drawing.
He spends many long hours looking at the works in Museo del Prado and making copies of the masters works, especially those of Goya.
1906
Mention of Honour at the National Fine Arts Exhibition for his work, which he refuses to accept as it had been relegated to the so-called “Sala del crimen” (“Murder Room”).
He starts taking part in debates at Café Levante, along with Valle Inclán, Baroja and Romero de Torres, among others. Later they start meeting at El Nuevo Café Levante and Café Universal.
1907
He presents his work in an exhibition at Círculo de Bellas Artes, and receives the first criticism of his work.
1909
The Solana family moves to Santander, where he remained until 1917. Landscapes, themes and characters from this region inhabit his art and literature.
He makes a number of journeys around Castile, La Mancha and Aragon.
1913
He publishes Madrid, Escenas y costumbres. Primera serie (Madrid, Scenery and Customs. 1st series).
1917
He returns to Madrid, but continues to spend long periods in Santander.
This was the start of his most prolific and mature period, which lasts until 1936.
1918
He attends the debates at Café de Pombo, chaired by Ramón Gómez de la Serna, who in Pombo makes the first likeness of the artist.
He publishes the second series of Madrid. Escenas y constumbres.
1920
He publishes La España Negra (Black Spain), covering his travels around Spain.
1921
Ramón Gómez de la Serna organizes a tribute to him, which marks Solana’s intellectual establishment as a writer and painter. Critics now write extensively and enthusiastically about his work.
In August, in Santander’s Ateneo, he inaugurates his first solo exhibition.
1922
He wins the First Medal at the National Fine Arts Exhibition.
He is chosen to present his work at the Venice Biennale.
1923
He publishes Madrid callejero (Madrid and its Streets).
1924
He is again invited to present his work at the Venice Biennale and at the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, a custom that will continue until the war years.
He publishes Dos pueblos de Castilla (Two Castille Villages).
1925
He takes part in Exposición de los Artistas Ibéricos (Exhibition of Iberian Artists).
1926
From then on, his work becomes known internationally.
He publishes the novel Florencio Cornejo.
1927
He has his first solo exhibition at Madrid′s Museo de Arte Moderno.
1928
He exhibits in Paris at the initiative of Edgar Neville and later at the Ateneo in Santander.
1929
Madrid′s Museo de Arte Moderno holds a retrospective exhibition with his latest works.
He wins the First Medal at the International Exhibition of Barcelona.
1932
His work is presented at a number of national and international exhibitions, and he has a special room at the Venice Biennale.
He begins his graphic work at the studio of Castro Gil.
1933
He has his first solo exhibition in Oslo.
The first monograph on the painter appears, written by Cecilio Barberán.
He wins First Prize at the National Portrait Competition, and a Special Mention at the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh.
1934
He presents another solo exhibition at Santander′s Ateneo. His work inspires Gerardo Diego′s poem “Viento Sur”. He receives tributes and distinctions for this show that is later presented in Torrelavega and in Gijón′s Ateneo, just as the Asturian Revolution begins.
1936
He exhibits in Paris, and the French State acquires two of his paintings.
The Civil War breaks out. He moves to Valencia.
1938
He is exiled to Paris. He moves into Colegio de España.
15 of his works are shown at the International Exhibition dedicated to Art and Technology in Modern Life.
He travels around France, constantly taking notes, which will become the so-called
Cuadernos de Paris (Paris Notes), largely unpublished until 2002.
In Paris he receives critical and public acclaim.
He works on the only sculpture known to him at the studio of Sebastian Mitraneda.
1940
He misses Spain so much he cannot even paint.
He returns that summer to Madrid, where he begins a period of intense production.
1942
He is awarded the Medal of Honour at the National Fine Arts Exhibition in Barcelona.
1943
Gold Medal from Círculo de Bellas Artes.
He begins to have health problems.
Jose de Castro Arines writes a biography of him, stating: “Solana, as well as being widely regarded as an exceptionally important human being, was also a man, and above all a good man”.
1945
Manuel Sanchez Camargo publishes a monograph on the artist.
He falls ill, and dies on 24 June.
He is awarded the Medal of Honour at the National Fine Arts Exhibition.