López, Antonio.
Works of the artist.
Antonio López is a Spanish sculptor and painter and one of the first hyperrealist artists from Spain. [+]
We do not have any works of this artist currently, you can use the form below if you want to make an inquiry.
López, Antonio
Antonio López is a Spanish sculptor and painter and one of the first hyperrealist artists from Spain. He was born in 1936 in Tomelloso, Ciudad Real, but in 1949 he moved to the capital to start his studies at the Academia de Bellas Artes of San Fernando. There he closely worked with Enrique Gran, Amalia Avia, and Lucio Muñoz, with whom he founded the “Escuela Madrileña”.
During his time in Madrid, his work was greatly influenced by his frequent visits to the Prado and by his admiration for Velázquez. However, in 1955 his artistic world expanded as he embraced the inspirational methods of the Italian Rennaissance. With a scholarship from the Ministry of Education, López had the opportunity to travel to Italy and immerse himself in the teachings of a more classical style. Throughout his studies, López started to shape the identity of his works, which relied on hyperrealist compositions and almost photographic precisions.
“An artwork is never finished, yet it reaches the limits of its possibilities” – Antonio López
These words fully encompass López’s work. Despite his strong interest in depicting everyday life and his loved ones, López can spend years and even decades to achieve the true essence of what he represents. This means that his work greatly relies on the precision of even the smallest details.
Throughout his artistic career, López has participated in significant collective and individual exhibitions. In 1957 he had his first-ever individual exhibition in the Ateneo in Madrid, where he presented a series of works that he created after finishing his studies. Some years later, Staempfli Gallery in New York showcased his work in two different collective exhibitions, one in 1965 and the other in 1968. Both exhibitions introduced López’s work to the International art scene, as well as facilitated the incorporation of his works into North American collections.
The decade of the 80s is considered one of the most important ones in López’s career. Throughout these years, the Foundation Juan March organized in the Museum of Albacete his first retrospective exhibition. While in 1985, he was awarded the Prince of Asturias of the Arts Prize, one of the most prestigious artistic awards in the country.
Nowadays, Antonio López continues to exhibit his work in important museums, such as the Museum Reina Sofia or the Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, remaining a distinguished reference in Spain’s artistic scene and developing works with an identity completely independent of contemporaneous movements.
