(Naples, 1716-Madrid, 1780) was a Spanish painter. Although he received little acclaim during his lifetime and died in poverty, Melendez is recognized today as the greatest Spanish still-life painter of the 18th century. His mastery of composition and light, and his remarkable ability to convey the volume and texture of individual objects enabled him to transform the most mundane of kitchen fare into powerful images. Luis Egidio Melendez de Rivera Durazo y Santo Padre was born in Naples in 1716. His father, Francisco Melendez de Rivera Diaz (1682- after 1758), was a miniaturist painter from Oviedo who had moved to Madrid with his older brother, the portrait painter Miguel Jacinto Melendez (1679-1734) in pursuit of artistic instruction. Whereas Miguel remained in Madrid to study and became a painter in the court of Philip V, Francisco left for Italy in 1699 to seek greater artistic exposure. Francisco took a special interest in visiting the Italian academies and settled in Naples where he married Maria Josefa Durazo y Santo Padre Barrille. Luis was a year old when his father, who had been a soldier in a Spanish garrison and lived abroad for almost two decades, returned to Madrid with the family. Luis Egidio, his brother Jose Agusten, and Ana, one of his sisters, began their careers under the tutelage of their father, who was appointed the King's Painter of Miniatures in 1725. After several years, in his words: painting royal portraits in jewels and bracelets to serve as gifts for envoys and ambassadors, he entered the workshop of Louis Michel van Loo (1707-1771), a Frenchman who had been made royal painter of Philip V of Spain.   Related Paintings of Luis Eugenio Melendez :. | Still Life with Fruit and Cheese | Still-Life | Queen consort of Spain | Still Life with Melon and Pears | Philip V in Hunting Costume |
Related Artists:
PATEL, Pierre
French Baroque Era Painter, ca.1605-1676 He dedicated himself exclusively to the art of landscape painting, and it is presumed that he spent his entire career in Paris, as there is no evidence to support claims that he went to Italy. In 1633-4 he was admitted to the guild of St Germain-des-Pres and in 1635 was admitted to the Academie de Saint-Luc. In 1651 he took part in a vain attempt to merge the Academie Royale and the Academie de Saint-Luc
Edith Hayllar
British Painter, 1860-1948
Francis William Edmonds
American, 1806-1863,American painter and banker. He achieved recognition both as a painter and as a banker, juggling careers with consummate skill. In 1826 he enrolled at the National Academy of Design while working in a New York bank. Somewhat insecure, he initially exhibited between 1836 and 1838 under the pseudonym E. F. Williams, but favourable reviews subsequently prompted him to use his own name. In 1840-41 Edmonds spent eight months in Europe, where he studied the Old Masters; he particularly admired the 17th-century Dutch painters Pieter de Hooch and Gabriel Metsu.