Julio Quesada Gilabert (1918-2009) - Retrato

Julio Quesada Gilabert was one of the most distinguished watercolor painters in 20th-century Spain, renowned for his technical virtuosity and his ability to capture the light of the Mediterranean.
Profile of the Artist
Full name: Julio Quesada Gilabert.
Nationality: Spanish.
Birth: December 4, 1918 (Madrid, Spain).
Death: June 13, 2009 (Alicante, Spain).
Biography and Career
Although he was born in Madrid, Quesada developed an inseparable link with the province of Alicante, especially with the town of Crevillente, from where his family came and where he spent much of his life.
Education: He trained at the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid. He was a pupil of great masters and soon stood out for his drawing skills, although it was in watercolour where he achieved world-class excellence.
Style: His work is characterized by a loose brushstroke, a masterful command of transparencies, and above all the use of the “white of the paper” to create luminous effects. His preferred subjects were landscapes, genre scenes, portraits, and still lifes.
Recognition: He was regarded by specialized criticism as one of the best watercolourists in the world. He belonged to the generation that raised watercolour from being considered a "minor technique" to a major art form in Spain.
Exhibitions and Museums
Julio Quesada’s work has toured national and international galleries, notable for its presence in:
Museo Pintor Julio Quesada (Crevillente): Located at the headquarters of the Crevillente Electric Cooperative, this museum houses the most important collection of his work, with more than 200 pieces spanning his entire artistic evolution.
International Competitions: He frequently participated in the exhibitions of the Spanish Watercolourists Association (AEDA), of which he was a prominent member.
Solo Exhibitions: He held regular shows in Madrid, Valencia, Alicante and various European capitals, always a critical and sales success.