Manuel Losada (1865-1949) - Almendros

Pastel on paper “Almendros”, Manuel Losada, early 20th century – Spain

Technique on support: Pastel on paper
Title of the work: “Almendros”
Author: Manuel Losada (Bilbao, 1865 – 1949)
Genre: Landscape
Period: Early 20th century
Country of origin: Spain
Good condition considering its age and use
Total dimensions: 43 x 52 x 3 cm.
Dimensions without frame: 25 x 34 cm.

Spectacular pastel signed by the renowned Spanish-born artist Manuel Losada. The work presents a wintry landscape of almond trees, without leaves or flowers. Through a skillful arrangement of elements, the author creates depth. Light and color are key elements in conveying the atmosphere of the landscape. The artist captures the essence of nature without focusing on precise details. The soft background of the sky, the natural colors, the delicacy with which he handles the light… The artist demonstrates a deep connection with nature and his admiration for the landscape.

Manuel Losada was born on October 16, 1865, into a well-off family. During the Siege of Bilbao in 1874 the family managed to leave the city, heading to Santander. In 1876, after the Third and last Carlist War, they returned to Bilbao.

In 1881 he was sent to Bayonne to perfect his French, and there he began to develop his artistic abilities. In 1883 he attended the studio of painter Antonio Lecuona (1831-1907), thus beginning his training. He began to associate with the local scene and among others he met Miguel de Unamuno and Paco Durrio (1868-1940). Around this time he decided to devote himself exclusively to art.

In 1887 he first presented himself at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in Madrid, without any mention, a fact that caused him to lose interest in these official certamen. That same year he obtained a scholarship from the Diputación for Vizcaya to study abroad, choosing Paris as his destination, where he remained until 1892. There he became acquainted with the work of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, which would exert a fundamental influence on the development of his style. He returned to Bilbao in 1889 and the following year traveled again to Paris thanks to a grant, this time with Anselmo Guinea (1855-1906). In the French capital he associated with important Basque artists settled there, including Ignacio Zuloaga (1870-1945).

In 1893 he definitively left Paris and settled in Bilbao, where he opened his own studio. He organized the First Modern Art Exhibition, held in 1900, managing to bring works by notable Parisian painters such as Paul Gauguin (1848-1903). In 1903 he participated in the Salon des Indépendants in Paris, receiving praise from Edgar Degas (1834-1917). For his important career, in December 1908 he was named Academician of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando.

In 1913 he was appointed director of the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. It was a highly active period for exhibitions, highlighting his participation in the Bilbao International Exposition of Painting and Sculpture of 1919 and in the Paris Salon d’Automne of 1923 and 1925. In 1933 he was named director of the Bilbao Museum of Modern Art, combining this role with that of Director of the Bilbao Museum of Fine Arts until about a year before his death. It is worth noting the important role Losada played in safeguarding the holdings of the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum during the Civil War, actively aiding in the recovery of its paintings in 1937. He died in Bilbao on October 9, 1949, at the age of 84.

The shipment of the product will be paid by the buyer in accordance with dimensions, weight, and destination. Shipping includes professional, tailor-made packaging; and personalized shipping, with tracking number and guarantee.

The frame protecting the work is offered as a gift, but it has value in itself. It is provided at no additional cost so that when your artwork arrives at your home or destination it can be displayed immediately. Any damage to the frame itself, that does not affect the integrity of the artwork, cannot be accepted as valid grounds to file a claim or request a cancellation.